Even Sleeping
Children 18:3 Lyrics


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I want to cry
But the tears won't come
There's blood on the ground
I think I know where it's from
But my hands are tied
As I watch you die

"Step away, son, the worst is past," He said
But I can't see her breath, she's moving on fast
As the shadowy reaper glides through the trees
He's coming, he's coming, he's come to steal her away from me

Oh, what would it take
To keep you here in my arms bleeding?
Oh, what would it take?
Is it so much to just start breathing?
Stay with me, stay with me
Stay with me, even sleeping

I felt a panic but it happened so fast
Was like noon to dusk but only seconds had past
When I hoped to hear a smile instead
You can listen to the people and the things they will say
Or you can listen to your spirit saying, "Send me on my way."

The sun is down, it's at its end
I'll follow you as far as I can
The sun is down, she won't mend
I'll follow you as far as I can
The sun is down, they say that she won't mend




I can't find you
I can't find you

Overall Meaning

The song "Even Sleeping" by Children 18:3 is a powerful and emotional piece about loss, grief, and the struggle to come to terms with a loved one's passing. The lyrics begin with the singer expressing their desire to cry, but being unable to shed a tear. The scene is set with the mention of blood on the ground, which the singer realizes is coming from the person they love who is dying before their very eyes. However, the singer is helpless and unable to save them, their hands tied as they watch their loved one die.


The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the scene and the emotions the singer feels. The line, "Step away, son, the worst is past," is particularly poignant, as it suggests that someone else is trying to comfort the singer, but their words are empty. The singer is numb with grief, unable to accept the reality of what is happening before them. The image of the shadowy reaper gliding through the trees adds to the sense of surrealism and other-worldliness in the song.


The chorus is a plea for the loved one to stay, even if it means just staying in the singer's arms, bleeding. The repetition of "Stay with me, stay with me, even sleeping" highlights the desperation and hopelessness of the situation. The final verse describes the passing of time and the singer's acceptance that their loved one is gone. The repetition of "The sun is down, it's at its end" adds to the sense of finality and closure.


Overall, "Even Sleeping" is a moving tribute to loss and the journey of grief. It is a song that is likely to resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to cry
I am filled with deep sadness.


But the tears won't come
I am so overwhelmed with emotion that I am unable to cry.


There's blood on the ground
I see the physical evidence of a violent incident.


I think I know where it's from
I have an idea of the source of the bloodshed.


But my hands are tied
I am powerless to help in this situation.


As I watch you die
I am forced to witness the agonizing end of someone I care deeply about.


"Step away, son, the worst is past," He said
Someone is trying to console me, telling me that the most difficult part of this experience has already passed.


But I can't see her breath, she's moving on fast
Despite the reassurances, I can see for myself that the person is quickly slipping away.


As the shadowy reaper glides through the trees
I see the Grim Reaper, a figure that traditionally represents death, lurking nearby.


He's coming, he's coming, he's come to steal her away from me
I feel powerless against the inevitability of death and the way in which it separates us from those we love.


Oh, what would it take
I am desperate to do whatever it takes to hold onto this person a little longer.


To keep you here in my arms bleeding?
I would be willing to endure anything, even the pain of watching this person suffer, if it meant I could keep them with me a little longer.


Is it so much to just start breathing?
I am pleading with the person to simply start breathing again, to come back to life, to stay with me.


Stay with me, stay with me
I am begging the person to stay with me, to not leave me alone.


Stay with me, even sleeping
Even if the person is unable to stay conscious, I am asking that they remain near me in whatever capacity they can.


I felt a panic but it happened so fast
I was overcome by panic at the speed with which this person's condition deteriorated.


Was like noon to dusk but only seconds had past
The change in the person's health was so rapid and extreme that it felt like time itself had shifted and accelerated.


When I hoped to hear a smile instead
Even while facing such a dire situation, I had hoped for a glimmer of positivity, some sign that the person might recover.


You can listen to the people and the things they will say
There are many voices weighing in on this situation, offering different opinions and advice.


Or you can listen to your spirit saying, "Send me on my way."
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to fight against death lies with the person in question, and they are free to choose their own path.


The sun is down, it's at its end
I am aware that time is running out, and that darkness and death are both drawing near.


I'll follow you as far as I can
Despite my fear and sadness, I am determined to stay by the person's side for as long as possible.


The sun is down, she won't mend
I am aware that there is no turning back, and that the person's condition is beyond repair.


I'll follow you as far as I can
Even though I cannot prevent the person from dying, I am resolved to stay with them until the end.


The sun is down, they say that she won't mend
I have heard from others that it is too late to save this person's life, and that they will not recover.


I can't find you
After the person has died, I am struggling to come to terms with the loss and the fact that they are no longer with me.




Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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