Broken Sleep
Agnes Obel Lyrics
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A malady, it's gazing through when I would
Dream me a dream (soft as a pillow)
Dream me a dream (dream me a dream)
Dream me a dream (deep in the night 'til the morning will follow)
Dream me a dream (dream me a dream)
Shapes of smoke, all too human
They grow, like titans
I would like to fall, silence every call
(Will you level me with a dream?)
If I could fall (fall), fall (fall)
I would like to fall (fall asleep), silence every call
(Will you level me with a dream?)
If I could fall (fall), I would like to fall (fall)
Twisted rope, defies all I know
It holds, my reason
Dream me a dream (soft as a pillow)
Dream me a dream (dream me a dream)
Dream me a dream (deep in the night 'til the morning will follow)
Dream me a dream (dream me a dream)
Sea of trees, calling humans
To hang like leaves from the willow
I would like to fall, silence every call
(Will you level me with a dream?)
If I could fall (fall), fall (fall)
I would like to fall (fall asleep), silence every call
(Will you level me with a dream?)
If I could fall (fall), I would like to fall (fall)
Take my word for it, for it
In the dark, in the dark
In the dark words can follow
The song "Broken Sleep" by Agnes Obel is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the human condition of restlessness and the search for peace. The lyrics speak of the human malady of broken sleep, and the longing for dreams to bring solace and relief. The repeated refrain of "dream me a dream" is a plea for the unconscious mind to offer temporary escape from the troubles of the waking world.
The song also touches on the transient nature of human existence, with the image of smoke shapes growing like titans, and the reference to a sea of trees calling humans to hang like leaves from the willow. These lines evoke a sense of impermanence and the idea that human life is ephemeral, a fleeting moment in the vastness of time and nature.
The final lines of the song, "take my word for it, for it, in the dark words can follow", suggest that even in the darkness of sleep and dreams, words and thoughts can continue to haunt and follow us, reminding us of the fragility and uncertainty of our existence.
Overall, "Broken Sleep" is a beautiful and thought-provoking song that invites listeners to contemplate the mysteries and complexities of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken sleep, all too human
Being unable to sleep properly is a common human condition
A malady, it's gazing through when I would
It feels like an illness that haunts me when I try to sleep
Dream me a dream (soft as a pillow)
I wish for a peaceful dream that feels like a soft pillow
Shapes of smoke, all too human
Illusions that I see are also human-like, not other-worldly
They grow, like titans
These illusions seem to become larger than life
I would like to fall, silence every call
I want to fall asleep and ignore any disturbances
(Will you level me with a dream?)
Can a dream help me find balance and peace?
If I could fall (fall), fall (fall)
I wish I could just let go and fall into a deep sleep
Twisted rope, defies all I know
Things that I once understood no longer make sense
It holds, my reason
This confusion is preventing me from thinking clearly
Sea of trees, calling humans
A forest that seems to beckon me like a human voice
To hang like leaves from the willow
I feel a desire to surrender and let go of my worries, like leaves falling from a tree
Take my word for it, for it
Believe what I'm saying, because it's important
In the dark, in the dark
Things become harder to understand in the shadows
In the dark words can follow
In this darkness, I'm left alone with only the words in my mind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Agnes Obel
Broken Sleep Lyrics:
Broken sleep, all too human
A malady
It’s gazing through when I would
Dream me a dream soft as a pillow
Deep in the night till the morning will follow
Shapes of smoke, all too human
They grow, like titans.
I would like to fall, silence every call,
Fall asleep
Will you level me with a dream?
If I could fall, fall.
Twisted rope, defies all I know
It holds, my reason
Dream me a dream soft as a pillow
Deep in the night till the morning will follow
Sea of trees, calling humans
To hang like leaves from the willow
I would like to fall, silence every call
Fall asleep.
Will you level me with a dream?
If I could fall, fall.
Take my word for it, for it.
In the dark, in the dark words can follow.
Deutsche Grammophon - DG
So looking forward to this one!
Albino Rhino
Did you like it though?
Harry Thompson
Damn man you got a Harted comment from the queen 👑 her self!!!
Małgorzata Margaret
@Agnes Obel - you are phenomenal :))) Love it. Probably "The course" is my favourite by now...but I get to know your music gradually, so...maybe there is something more I will love too :)
Pedro Carvalho
DARK
MDOrtiz361777
@Agnes Obel My most anticipated album of the year! Your 1st 3 albums are all instant classics.
mareridt
Theres nothing better than hearing this masterpiece in "Dark". Her songs are made for that show.
Justin R.
I don't say this lightly--All time greatest soundtrack for a TV series
Killua Zoldyck
@Fórizs András 9 months late to write that comment...
Mary M
@C Wade yes! Enya and Aurora had a music baby.