1) Iron Horse is an American bluegrass band from Alabama formed in 2000.
2) Iron Horse was an American rock band fronted by Ron Keel that was active in the 1990s.
3) Iron Horse was a British rock band active in the 60s/70s.
The Iron Horse was a Scottish Celtic music band formed in 1990. Already well established on the traditional music scene, the band first demanded the attention of a broader public through the music they created for the BBC TV documentary series, "The Gamekeeper" (1995). Since its formation in 1990, the band's sound and line-up gradually evolved from acoustic beginnings to a dynamic merging of traditional and contemporary music at its most effective during their live shows capturing the audience with their infectious enthusiasm and vitality. The Iron Horse were Annie Grace (whistles and vocals), Ross Kennedy (guitars and vocals), Gavin Marwick (fiddle), Lynn Morrison (keyboard and vocals), and Rod Paul (whistles, mandolin, banjo, guitar).
Enter Sandman
Iron Horse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
Tuck you in, warm within
keep you free from sin
till the sandman he comes
sleep with one eye open
gripping your pillow tight
refrain:
Exit, light
Enter, Night
Take my hand
we're off to never-never land
Somethings wrong, shut the light
heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of snow white
dreams of war, dreams of liars
dreams of dragon's fire
and of things that will bite
sleep with one eye open
gripping your pillow tight
refrain
Now I lay me down to sleep (2x)
I pray the lord my soul to keep (2x)
If I die before I wake (2x)
I pray the lord my soul to take (2x)
hush little baby, don't say a word
never mind that noise you heard
it's just the beasts under your bed
in your closet, in your head
Exit, light
Enter, Night
grain of sand
refrain
boom
We're off to never never-land
Take my hand
We're off to never never-land
Take my hand
We're off to never never-land
We're off to never never-land
Iron Horse’s song “Enter Sandman” starts with an instruction to a child to say their prayers before sleeping: “Say your prayers little one / Don't forget, my son / To include everyone”. The song goes on to describe the fears and anxieties that can fill one’s mind as they fall asleep. The lyrics allude to the idea of a “sandman” who brings sleep but also suggest that it is important to be vigilant of potential threats: “sleep with one eye open / gripping your pillow tight”. The refrain “Exit, light / Enter, night” creates a sense of being plunged into darkness and danger. The song ends with the comforting idea of going to a “never-never land” where fears and anxieties cannot reach.
Through its lyrics, “Enter Sandman” explores the experience of falling asleep and the fears and anxieties that can come with it. It touches on the idea that sleep can be a vulnerable and unsettling experience but also offers the idea of a safe haven in the form of a “never never-land”.
Line by Line Meaning
Say your prayers little one
Start praying, child
Don't forget, my son
Remember, my child
To include everyone
Pray for everyone, not just yourself
Tuck you in, warm within
Make sure you're comfortable in bed
keep you free from sin
Make sure you're not sinning while you sleep
till the sandman he comes
Keep sleeping until the sandman arrives
sleep with one eye open
Be alert while you sleep
gripping your pillow tight
Hold your pillow tightly
Exit, light
Close the doors to the outside world
Enter, Night
Welcome the night
Take my hand
Let's go together
we're off to never-never land
We're going to a dreamland that doesn't exist
Somethings wrong, shut the light
Something's not right, turn off the lights
heavy thoughts tonight
Feeling overwhelmed with thoughts
And they aren't of snow white
Thoughts aren't good and pure like Snow White
dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreaming of bad things such as war and lies
dreams of dragon's fire
Dreaming of dangerous things like dragon's fire
and of things that will bite
Also dreaming of things that can harm you
Now I lay me down to sleep (2x)
Going to sleep now
I pray the lord my soul to keep (2x)
Asking God to protect my soul while I sleep
If I die before I wake (2x)
If I die while I'm sleeping
I pray the lord my soul to take (2x)
Asking God to keep my soul after I die
hush little baby, don't say a word
Be quiet, don't make a sound
never mind that noise you heard
Ignore any noises you hear
it's just the beasts under your bed
Noises are just monsters under your bed
in your closet, in your head
Monsters are also inside your closet and head
grain of sand
Something very small (like a piece of sand)
boom
A loud noise
Take my hand
Let's go together
We're off to never never-land
We're going to a dreamland that doesn't exist
Writer(s): James Alan Hetfield, Kirk L. Hammett, Lars Ulrich Copyright: Creeping Death Music
Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dave Hill
I have enjoyed listening to this version so much for a long time.
Driving to work each morning it was my go to track and I sang along like no one was watching.
I feel kind of guilty for the value I have had from this performance and I haven't paid a bean for it.
Thank you Iron Horse.
🍻
Wave Trains
Metallica did a great cover of this bluegrass classic.
Old Man from Scene Twenty Four
Now THAT was funny!
Rick Matthews
Metalica bluegrass
Joe Mama
grassica
THX-0381
Dixielandica
THAT BITCH!
John Goode i'm going to the last Metallica concert ever in Edmonton can't wait sweet and theses guys are really good
Dave Hill
I have enjoyed listening to this version so much for a long time.
Driving to work each morning it was my go to track and I sang along like no one was watching.
I feel kind of guilty for the value I have had from this performance and I haven't paid a bean for it.
Thank you Iron Horse.
🍻
Cris Bessette
The lyrics of this song so perfectly fit the bluegrass genre. lots of religious imagery, and dark subjects. I would suspect some old bluegrassers around here would love the song ,never having heard the original.
Shannon Badgett
I have never in my life been so impressed by the variety of covers Iron Horse has chosen to play. Thank you, so much and look forward to ‘new’ stuff! Your rendition of ‘Rocket Man’ had me in tears, as it was such a tribute to Sir Elton John! Five days in a row I said ‘yes, yes’ I heard it...but, when I did...I was....I can’t get enough people to listen to it! Please, don’t stop what you’re doing!
Wayne A.
This performance takes this song to another level. Completely erie and delightful. Fantastic.