Hilang Child is signed to the Bella Union record label through which his debut album 'Years' was released in 2018. A follow-up EP 'Stripped.Rebuilt' was released on 03 May 2019.
Ed has also been involved in the Lost Horizons group with Simon Raymond (Cocteau Twins, Bella Union) and Richie Thomas (Dif Juz, Jesus and Mary Chain).
Sleepwalk
Hilang Child Lyrics
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All because when
I lay cold in the ground
I hope you'll stick around
What's it all for?
What can I show?
For twenty-five years alive
I'm sleepwalking tonight
Oh, tonight
Oh, tonight
I said we were friends
All because when
I lie cold in the ground
I hope you'll stick around
This darkening doubt inside ends tonight
The opening lines of Hilang Child's "Sleepwalk" introduce the theme of friendship and the fear of being alone in the afterlife. The singer is reaching out to their friend, asking for the assurance that they will be remembered and thought of once they are gone. The repetition of the phrase "I said we were friends" hints at a sense of insecurity and a desperate need for companionship. The fear of being forgotten is amplified in the following lines with the image of the singer lying "cold in the ground". It is not just about dying, but about what happens after one's passing. The fear of being isolated even in death is a powerful emotion that Hilang Child masterfully brings to the fore.
The bridge between the two verses seems to be tackling the concept of purpose and the age-old question of why we are here. The singer acknowledges their limited time on earth and that they may not have tried everything they wanted to. The phrase "I'm sleepwalking tonight" can be interpreted as a metaphor for going through life without truly being present, just going through the motions. It captures the sense of regret and the desire for something more profound.
The resolution to the song comes in the repeated chorus, "I said we were friends" with a newfound sense of confidence. The singer hopes that their doubt, which has been simmering below the surface, will end tonight. Whether they find the solace they seek or not is open to interpretation, but the song paints a haunting picture of the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
I said we were friends
I claimed that we had a close bond
All because when
My reasoning for claiming friendship
I lay cold in the ground
When I am dead and buried
I hope you'll stick around
I hope you'll continue to be present in my absence
What's it all for?
Questioning the purpose of life
What can I show?
What have I accomplished to prove my existence
For twenty-five years alive
Having lived for a quarter of a century
Don't know if I've ever tried
Feeling uncertain about putting effort into life
I'm sleepwalking tonight
Going through the motions without conscious awareness or direction
Oh, tonight
Emphasizing the present moment
This darkening doubt inside ends tonight
The uncertainty and pessimism within me will come to an end tonight
Writer(s): EDWARD RIMAN
Contributed by Allison C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.