Awake
Built for the Sea Lyrics
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What have they done to you?
They are fast
You fight back
And i'm so cold
And you're so cold
And i can't sleep
How can you sleep?
Sleep the pain away
Sleep the past away
Sleep the day away
Sleep the pain away
Sleep the past away
Sleep the day
We are in 1945
I wonder why you're gone and i'm here
They are armed
You've been warned
You are not welcome here
And i'm so cold
And you're so cold
And i can't sleep
How can you sleep?
Sleep the pain away
Sleep the past away
Sleep the day away
Sleep the pain away
Sleep the past away
Sleep the day away
Sleep
Sleep the pain away
Sleep the past away
Sleep the day away
The lyrics to "Awake" by Built for the Sea are a provocative and powerful commentary on the struggle for survival and resilience in the face of oppression and violence. The song explores two distinct time periods - 1492 and 1945 - that signify pivotal moments in world history where people were forced to endure unimaginable suffering and hardship.
In the first verse, the lyrics touch on the atrocities committed against indigenous societies during the colonial era. The line "What have they done to you?" speaks to the pain and loss suffered by those who were displaced or enslaved by colonizing powers. The singer describes the struggle to fight back against overwhelming forces, and the chilling repetition of "And i'm so cold / And you're so cold / And i can't sleep / How can you sleep?" underscores the brutality and inhumanity of the situation.
The second verse shifts focus to the end of World War II and the aftermath of the Holocaust. The line "I wonder why you're gone and i'm here" echoes the sense of dislocation and confusion that many survivors must have felt as they tried to rebuild their lives amidst the ruins. The lyrics acknowledge the presence of continued danger and hostility, with the line "They are armed / You've been warned / You are not welcome here." Once again, the refrain of "And i'm so cold / And you're so cold / And i can't sleep / How can you sleep?" conveys the overwhelming sense of trauma and numbness that can result from experiencing such profound violence and loss.
Overall, "Awake" is a haunting and poignant reflection on the human cost of historical violence and oppression, and a call to remember the resilience and strength of those who survived.
Line by Line Meaning
And we are in 1492
We find ourselves in a time of historical significance, where great changes are happening.
What have they done to you?
What unfair treatment or injustice have you experienced at the hands of others?
They are fast
The people causing harm are quick and efficient in their actions.
You fight back
You resist and refuse to let them harm you without putting up a fight.
They send more
The people causing harm are persistent and unrelenting, sending more people to continue their actions.
And i'm so cold
The situation is causing me to feel emotionally and physically cold and numb.
And you're so cold
You are also feeling emotionally and physically cold and numb due to the situation.
And i can't sleep
The situation is keeping me awake at night, causing me to feel unrested and exhausted.
How can you sleep?
I wonder how you are able to rest and sleep peacefully despite the situation.
Sleep the pain away
Escaping the pain and unpleasantness of reality through sleep.
Sleep the past away
Using sleep to forget about or move past the pain and trauma of the past.
Sleep the day away
Spending excessive amounts of time sleeping in order to escape the unpleasantness of reality.
We are in 1945
We find ourselves in another time of historical significance, where great changes are happening.
I wonder why you're gone and i'm here
I am questioning why you have left and why I have been left behind to deal with the situation alone.
They are armed
The people causing harm have weapons and other resources to further their efforts.
You've been warned
You have been told of the potential danger or harm that may come your way if you do not take precautions.
You are not welcome here
The people causing harm do not want you in their space or in their midst.
Sleep
Using sleep as a form of escape and avoidance of dealing with the harsh realities of life.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.