The single achieved gold certification for more than 500,000 copies shipped in the United States, spurring sales of over 15 million copies for Metallica and propelling Metallica to worldwide popularity. Acclaimed by critics, the song is featured in all of Metallica's live albums and DVDs released after 1991 and has been played live at award ceremonies and benefit concerts.
Known cover versions of the song:
- Richard Cheese - Enter Sandman
- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Enter Sandman
- Pat Boone - Enter Sandman
Enter Sandman
Metallica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To include everyone
I tuck you in, warm within, keep you free from sin
'Til the sandman, he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Something's 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, yeah
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land, yeah
Now I lay me down to sleep
(Now I lay me down to sleep)
Pray the lord my soul to keep
(Pray the lord my soul to keep)
If I die before I wake
(If I die before I wake)Pray the lord my soul to take
(Pray the lord my soul to take)
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
And 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
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land, yeah
Oh, yeah, yeah
Yo, oh
(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
We're off to never-never land
We're off to never-never land
"Enter Sandman" is a song that explores the fears and anxieties that children have as they go to sleep at night. The opening lines encourage "little one," presumably a child, to say their prayers before going to bed, including everyone in their thoughts. The song takes a dark turn when the "sandman" is mentioned, implying that he will bring nightmares to the child's dreams. The chorus urges the child to be vigilant, to sleep with one eye open and to grip their pillow tight, as they venture into the darkness of the night.
The second verse dives deeper into the nightmare-inducing thoughts that may plague a child's mind, from dreams of war and liars to dragons and other terrifying creatures. The song takes on a more foreboding tone, as the child is warned about the beasts that may lurk under their bed or in their closet, reinforcing the idea that perhaps the only safe place is within their own thoughts. The song ends with a continuation of the prayer from the beginning, with the hope that the Lord will protect the child's soul even if they should die.
The overall theme of the song is one of fear and anxiety about the unknown, with a focus on the fears that children may have as they go to sleep at night. Metallica is known for their heavy metal sound, and "Enter Sandman" is no exception. With its driving guitar riffs and pounding drums, the song captures the urgency of the feelings it portrays.
Line by Line Meaning
Say your prayers, little one
Begin your bedtime prayers, child
Don't forget, my son
Don't forget the people you care about while you pray, my child
To include everyone
Pray for everyone, and not just yourself
Tuck you in, warm within
I'll make sure you're comfortable and warm in bed
Keep you free from sin
I hope that your sleep will be peaceful and you'll be free from sin
'Til the sandman, he comes
Until the mythical creature known as the sandman appears, and you fall asleep
Sleep with one eye open
Be vigilant and aware, even as you sleep
Gripping your pillow tight
Hold on tightly to your pillow as if it's your only protection
Exit light
The night is ending, and the light is fading
Enter night
The darkness of night is here
Take my hand
I'll be with you through the darkness
We're off to never-never land
We're entering a place beyond our imagination and reality
Something's wrong, shut the light
There's something unsettling happening; turn off the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
Intense and worrisome thoughts are on your mind
And they aren't of Snow White
These thoughts are not of peace and happiness; they're darker
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
You're experiencing dreams of deceit and conflict
Dreams of dragon's fire
You're having dreams of dragons breathing fire
And of things that will bite, yeah
Other frightening creatures are appearing in your dreams and causing harm
Now I lay me down to sleep
I'm resting now and hoping to get some proper sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I'm asking God to take care of me while I rest
If I die before I wake
If I don't survive until I wake up
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I trust God to take my soul to heaven
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
I'm asking you not to talk and to fall asleep
And never mind that noise you heard
Ignore any distracting sounds you might hear
It's just the beasts under your bed
Those noises are just imaginary beasts hiding under your bed
In your closet, in your head
Your imagination is creating these beasts in your mind
Grain of sand
The smallest thing can have a big impact on our lives
Uh
An interjection with no specific meaning, used for emphasis
Yeah, yeah
An expression of excitement or agreement
Yo, oh
An expression used to grab someone's attention
We're off to never-never land
We're going to this imaginary, mysterious space once again
Take my hand
Let me lead and guide you
We're off to never-never land
We're entering this same mysterious space, one more time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
Written by: James Hatfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joserodrigues-vq8pz
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
Say your prayers, little one, don't forget, my son
To include everyone
I tuck you in, warm within, keep you free from sin
'Til the Sandman, he comes
[Pre-Chorus]
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
[Chorus]
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
[Verse 2]
Something's wrong, shut the light, heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of Snow White
Dreams of war, dreams of liars, dreams of dragons' fire
And of things that will bite, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
[Chorus]
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Yeah
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
Now, I lay me down to sleep
(Now, I lay me down to sleep)
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
(Pray the Lord my soul to keep)
If I die before I wake
(If I die before I wake)
Pray the Lord my soul to take
(Pray the Lord my soul to take)
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beasts under your bed
In your closet, in your head
[Chorus]
Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
(Yeah, haha haha)
[Outro]
Oh, yeah-yeah, yo-oh
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
We're off to never-never land
We're off to never-never land
@jeanvelez9697
LYRICS:
Say your prayers little one
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
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
Exit, light
Enter, night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Now I lay me down to sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
If I die before I wake
I pray the lord my soul to take
I pray the lord my soul to take
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And 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
Exit, light
Enter, night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Yeah!
We're off to never-never land
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Take my hand
@ryla6620
LYRICS
Say your prayers, little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
Tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
'Til the sandman, he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
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, yeah
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Now I lay me down to sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
If I die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
And 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
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land, yeah
Uh
Yeah, yeah
Yo, oh
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
@Dobluss
"Enter Sandman"
Say your prayers, little one
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
Exit: light
Enter: night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land
Something's 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
Exit: light
Enter: night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land
Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And 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
Exit: light
Enter: night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land
@1Chiccone
Say your prayers, little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
I tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
Till the Sandman he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Something's 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
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And 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
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Submit Corrections
@bryanandmelwoodgate2430
[Verse 1]
Say your prayers little one
Don't forget my son
To include everyone
I tuck you in
Warm within
Keep you free from sin
Until the sandman he comes
[Pre-Chorus]
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
[Chorus 1]
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never-land
[Verse 2]
Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of Snow White
Dreams of war
Dreams of liars
Dreams of dragons fire
And of things that will bite, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
[Chorus]
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never-land
[Solo]
My friends, put you hands like this man
[Bridge]
Now I lay me down to sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the lord my soul to keep
Pray the lord my soul to keep
And
If I die before I wake
If I die before I wake
Pray the lord my soul to take
Pray the lord my soul to take
My friends, put you hands like this man
Hush little baby don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beast under your bed
In your closet in your head
[Chorus 2]
Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand
[Chorus 1]
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never-land
Come on people
Hey yeah, oh oh yeah
[Outro]
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
@paulolescano5181
Lyrics para que la canten.
.
.
Say your prayers, little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
I tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
Till the Sandman he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Something's 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
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush little baby, don't say a word
And 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
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
Take my hand
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
We're off to Never—, Neverland
@elliefaulkner4877
My dad chose this for the song to play at the end of his funeral. Never wanted to laugh so much whilst crying in my life. You don't realise how long that bloody intro is until you're sat in a chapel listening to it haha.
@hisokasdaycare6812
he was and still is an icon
@jaystockman7087
Your Dad is a fucking Legend for that.
@carlneoh5843
Your dad has my respect
salute
@dougrogan379
What a man! Would share a beer with him
@stingerbean1848
Thinking about doing the same when it‘s time. Hope it‘s still long to go. Your dad‘s a fucking legend for that
@cynthiagaff2146
I am 68 years old and my teenage grandson introduced me to this group. LOVE THEM!!!
@haykor7165
You have good grandson :)
@lenazawada8858
You have the best grandson ever
@jawsko
GRANDSON OF THE CENTURY RIGHT HERE EVERY ONE WOO