Bette Midler (December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, and comedia… Read Full Bio ↴Bette Midler (December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known to her fans and especially in gay culture, as The Divine Miss M. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Jewish parents from New Jersey, and raised there. Midler relocated to New York City to pursue acting on stage, and in 1970 she began singing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the city, where she became close to her piano accompanist, Barry Manilow, who produced her first major album, The Divine Miss M in 1973. She is named after the actress Bette Davis although Davis pronounced her name in two syllables, and Midler uses one.

During her career, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. She performed a new concert show, The Showgirl Must Go On, live five nights a week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2011 (together with Cher and Elton John).

dreamland
Bette Midler Lyrics

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Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Angels on my left and right
To keep me safe all through the night

There's a place way up high
Starry bright there, through the night there
Close your eyes, let your wishes fly

You'll be in Dreamland by and by

Dimpled and drowsy, off you go
Over the treetops, sliding down a rainbow
Sleepyhead, curl up in your bed
And 'til the sun says, "Rise and shine"
Sleep warm in Dreamland, baby mine

There's a place worlds away
Time has wings there, green with springs there
Smiles and songs bloom on every tree
Only in Dreamland, just wait and see

Deep down inside us, a child's still there
Wishing for Dreamland, knowing that it's somewhere
Though it may seem so far away
If you believe that dreams come true

You'll find a Dreamland waiting for you
Mmm, go to sleep now, dear

Overall Meaning

The opening of Bette Midler's song "Dreamland" starts with a prayer that many people have learned since childhood. The words "Now I lay me down to sleep / I pray the Lord my soul to keep" remind the listener of their vulnerability as they prepare for rest, and expresses a desire to be watched over by angels. The following lines "Angels on my left and right / To keep me safe all through the night" offer a sense of comfort and safety.

As the song progresses, the listener is transported to a different world, a place far away that promises happiness and joy. The lyrics describe this place as "way up high / Starry bright there, through the night there / Close your eyes, let your wishes fly / You'll be in Dreamland by and by." The setting of Dreamland is described with phrases such as "over the treetops, sliding down a rainbow" and "Smiles and songs bloom on every tree." In this otherworldly place, the listener can find peace and comfort, away from the stresses of the real world.

Throughout the song, "Dreamland" is portrayed as a magical haven, both whimsical and comforting. It reminds the listener of the importance of connecting with their inner child, and the belief that their dreams can come true. It offers an escape from the harsh realities of life and the promise of a peaceful night's sleep.

Line by Line Meaning

Now I lay me down to sleep
I'm going to bed

I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I'm hoping to wake up alive and well tomorrow

Angels on my left and right
I'm asking for protection while I sleep

To keep me safe all through the night
I want to make sure nothing bad happens to me while I'm sleeping

There's a place way up high
There's a magical land in the sky

Starry bright there, through the night there
It's really pretty and bright at night

Close your eyes, let your wishes fly
Imagine what you want and it might come true

You'll be in Dreamland by and by
If you keep imagining, you'll make it to Dreamland

Dimpled and drowsy, off you go
You're feeling sleepy and ready to go to sleep

Over the treetops, sliding down a rainbow
You're having a fun adventure in your dreams

Sleepyhead, curl up in your bed
You're comfortable and cozy in bed

And 'til the sun says, "Rise and shine"
You're going to sleep until morning

Sleep warm in Dreamland, baby mine
You'll be nice and warm in your dream

There's a place worlds away
Dreamland is very different from regular life

Time has wings there, green with springs there
Time is different and nature is really pretty

Smiles and songs bloom on every tree
Everything is happy and musical in Dreamland

Only in Dreamland, just wait and see
You can only experience this in your dreams

Deep down inside us, a child's still there
We all have an inner child that still wants to play and have fun

Wishing for Dreamland, knowing that it's somewhere
We all want to go to Dreamland

Though it may seem so far away
It might feel impossible to get there

If you believe that dreams come true
But if you believe anything is possible

You'll find a Dreamland waiting for you
You'll be able to go to Dreamland

Mmm, go to sleep now, dear
Now it's time to go to sleep.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, DAVE GRUSIN, MARILYN BERGMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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