Before I Sleep
Marika Hackman Lyrics


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Burning, the roads through my mind are on fire
For the light you shed was blinding
A rabbit, caught in your glow, I am frozen
In the yielding tar, sticky and golden

I foresee this ending in a shower of flame
So drink your holy water soon
And I'll wash my loving hands
I'm through

For I am of the sun
And this night is getting on
When the dawn breaks warm I'm gone

Standing, at the edge of your forest, I'm standing
And the milky bed reminds me of the miles I have yet to tread

And the heart-stained sheets I used to wrap around my waist
Well I hope you find the peace you seek
Wake me up in five, six weeks

For we exist at night




And a silent strip of light
Unfurls against the mountain side

Overall Meaning

In "Before I Sleep," Marika Hackman uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe a tumultuous relationship that she knows is doomed to fail. The opening lines describe the intense emotional turmoil she feels, as she compares the state of her mind to a road on fire. The source of this feeling is the person she is in love with, who she describes as shedding a blinding light. The image of being caught in the glow like a rabbit conveys a sense of helplessness and being overwhelmed by this person's power over her. The line "In the yielding tar, sticky and golden" uses a visceral metaphor to describe the feeling of being stuck and unable to move, as if sinking into quicksand.


In the chorus, Marika voices her resignation, predicting that the relationship will end in flames. She urges her partner to drink their holy water, while she washes her loving hands, signaling that she has given up on trying to save something that is inevitably doomed. She declares that she is "of the sun," implying a sense of independence and the idea that she needs to break away and move on. The final lines reveal that she plans to leave when the dawn breaks, ushering in a new beginning.


Line by Line Meaning

Burning, the roads through my mind are on fire
My thoughts are overwhelming and consuming, racing and causing distress


For the light you shed was blinding
Your influence was powerful and all-consuming


A rabbit, caught in your glow, I am frozen
I feel small and powerless in your presence, unable to move or act


In the yielding tar, sticky and golden
Your effect on me is heavy and binding, like a sticky tar that's trapped me


I foresee this ending in a shower of flame
I envision this relationship coming to a dramatic and destructive end


So drink your holy water soon
Take what you need from me before it's too late


And I'll wash my loving hands
I'll distance myself from this situation to protect myself


I'm through
I'm done with this connection


For I am of the sun
I'm strong and independent, able to shine on my own


And this night is getting on
This situation is dragging on and becoming tiresome


When the dawn breaks warm I'm gone
Once this ordeal is over, I'll move on


Standing, at the edge of your forest, I'm standing
I'm on the brink of something new and uncertain


And the milky bed reminds me of the miles I have yet to tread
I'm reminded that there's still a long journey ahead of me


And the heart-stained sheets I used to wrap around my waist
I remember the moments we shared, but recognize that it's time to let go


Well I hope you find the peace you seek
I wish you well and hope you find inner tranquility


Wake me up in five, six weeks
Give me some time to heal and recover from this before reconnecting with me


For we exist at night
Our relationship is dark and uncertain


And a silent strip of light
Despite the darkness, there is still a small glimmer of hope


Unfurls against the mountain side
A new opportunity is emerging, slowly but surely




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARIKA LOUISE HACKMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Fatimah

Burning, the roads through my mind are on fire
For the light you shed was blinding
A rabbit, caught in your glow, I am frozen
In the yielding tar, sticky and golden
I foresee this ending in a shower of flame
So drink your holy water soon
And I'll wash my loving hands
I'm through
For I am of the sun
And this night is getting on
When the dawn breaks warm I'm gone
Standing, at the edge of your forest, I'm standing
And the milky bed reminds me of the miles I have yet to tread
And the heart-stained sheets I used to wrap around my waist
Well I hope you find the peace you seek
Wake me up in five, six weeks
For we exist at night
And a silent strip of light
Unfurls against the mountain side



bunga nadira

Burning, the roads through my mind are on fire
For the light you shed was blinding
A rabbit, caught in your glow, I am frozen
In the yielding tar, sticky and golden

I foresee this ending in a shower of flame
So drink your holy water soon
And I'll wash my loving hands
I'm through

For I am of the sun
And this night is getting on
When the dawn breaks warm I'm gone

Standing, at the edge of your forest, I'm standing
And the milky bed reminds me of the miles I have yet to tread

And the heart-stained sheets I used to wrap around my waist
Well I hope you find the peace you seek
Wake me up in five, six weeks

For we exist at night
And a silent strip of light
Unfurls against the mountain side



All comments from YouTube:

Fatimah

Burning, the roads through my mind are on fire
For the light you shed was blinding
A rabbit, caught in your glow, I am frozen
In the yielding tar, sticky and golden
I foresee this ending in a shower of flame
So drink your holy water soon
And I'll wash my loving hands
I'm through
For I am of the sun
And this night is getting on
When the dawn breaks warm I'm gone
Standing, at the edge of your forest, I'm standing
And the milky bed reminds me of the miles I have yet to tread
And the heart-stained sheets I used to wrap around my waist
Well I hope you find the peace you seek
Wake me up in five, six weeks
For we exist at night
And a silent strip of light
Unfurls against the mountain side

Joe Shite the Ragman

Never stop making music, you're fantastic

Sena Yamazaki

Burning, the roads through my mind are on fire For the light you shed was blinding A rabbit, caught in your glow, I am frozen In the yielding tar, sticky and golden I foresee this ending in a shower of flame So drink your holy water soon And I'll wash my loving hands I'm through For I am of the sun And this night is getting on When the dawn breaks warm I'm gone Standing, at the edge of your forest, I'm standing And the milky bed reminds me of the miles I have yet to tread And the heart-stained sheets I used to wrap around my waist Well I hope you find the peace you seek Wake me up in five, six weeks For we exist at night And a silent strip of light Unfurls against the mountain side

Elle A Libre

I can't stop listening to this. I'm surprised there aren't more views

Jamie-Spenser

this actually might be real

Elle A Libre

@LimwenDellel you made me add another one ;)

LimwenDellel

It's a year later. The # of views better now? I've added quite a few to that number.

kissyberry

same

Anne Eaton

you're songs are the most amazing pieces of music i have ever heard in my entire life, and i am really bummed out that your not on tour in america.
                                    You go girl!   keep making music, it's awesome, so awesome, in fact that i learned to play 'bath is black' and "ophelia" on my guitar.

TONY INXS FAN FRIENDS

He llegado hasta aquí gracias a la espectacular serie de TV
" The Blacklist "y me ha encantado poder descubrir una gran artista para poder seguir su trabajo será fácil. Tony desde Córdoba España paz gracias por éste tema tan brillante

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