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Enter Sandman
Metallica Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

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

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

Overall Meaning

"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
Written by: James Hatfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-wf2fc4pf5p

John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
John 3:18 “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Revelation 21
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
1 Corinthians 6
18 Flee fornication. Every other sin which a man doeth is outside the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Matthew 12
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”
Romans 8:6
21st Century King James Version
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace,
Luke 12:20
21st Century King James Version
20 But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’
1 Timothy 5:6
21st Century King James Version
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
1 Corinthians 6
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
1 John 2:17
21st Century King James Version
17 And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Matthew 22:29
21st Century King James Version
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
John 8:51
21st Century King James Version
51 Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.”
2 John 9
21st Century King James Version
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son.
Titus 1:14
21st Century King James Version
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
2 Peter 3:18
21st Century King James Version
18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Romans 12:2
21st Century King James Version
2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 9:24
21st Century King James Version
24 For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Colossians 2:10
21st Century King James Version
10 And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power,
Deuteronomy 6:14
21st Century King James Version
14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people who are round about you
2 Corinthians 11:14
21st Century King James Version
14 And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Jeremiah 7
18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.
1 Corinthians 10
20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1 Timothy 2:5
21st Century King James Version
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Deuteronomy 8
19 And it shall be, if thou at all forget the Lord thy God and walk after other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

1 John 5
20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and Eternal Life.
Acts 17
29 “For inasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and of man’s devising.
Proverbs 14
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
1 John 4
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God; and such is the spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already it is in the world.
2 John 1
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son.
John 8
12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Mark 8
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it.
John 8
51 Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.”
John 17
3 And this is life eternal: that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
1 Timothy 2
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Acts 4
12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”
James 1
21 Therefore lay apart all filthiness and the superfluity of wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.
John 11
25 Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
26 and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
John 6
68 Then Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life,
Psalm 119
30 I have chosen the way of truth; Thy judgments have I laid before me.
Psalm 119
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Romans 12
2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 2
5 that your faith should not stand on the wisdom of man, but on the power of God.

1 Peter 5
8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 John 2
16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 1
21 Therefore lay apart all filthiness and the superfluity of wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.
1 Corinthians 15
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Thessalonians 5
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
John 3
18 “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36
21st Century King James Version
36 He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Luke 6:5
21st Century King James Version
5 And He said unto them, “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 22
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
John 5:29
21st Century King James Version
29 and shall come forth — they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 8
12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:32
21st Century King James Version
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 6:40
21st Century King James Version
40 And this is the will of Him that sent Me: that every one who seeth the Son and believeth in Him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day.”
Mark 13:13
21st Century King James Version
13 And ye shall be hated by all men for My name’s sake; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Revelation 14:12
21st Century King James Version
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
John 8
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Mark 13
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.



@user-wf2fc4pf5p

John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
John 3:18 “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Revelation 21
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
1 Corinthians 6
18 Flee fornication. Every other sin which a man doeth is outside the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Matthew 12
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”
Romans 8:6
21st Century King James Version
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace,
Luke 12:20
21st Century King James Version
20 But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’
1 Timothy 5:6
21st Century King James Version
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
1 Corinthians 6
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
1 John 2:17
21st Century King James Version
17 And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Matthew 22:29
21st Century King James Version
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
John 8:51
21st Century King James Version
51 Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.”
2 John 9
21st Century King James Version
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son.
Titus 1:14
21st Century King James Version
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
2 Peter 3:18
21st Century King James Version
18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Romans 12:2
21st Century King James Version
2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 9:24
21st Century King James Version
24 For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Colossians 2:10
21st Century King James Version
10 And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power,
Deuteronomy 6:14
21st Century King James Version
14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people who are round about you
2 Corinthians 11:14
21st Century King James Version
14 And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Jeremiah 7
18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.
1 Corinthians 10
20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1 Timothy 2:5
21st Century King James Version
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Deuteronomy 8
19 And it shall be, if thou at all forget the Lord thy God and walk after other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

1 John 5
20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and Eternal Life.
Acts 17
29 “For inasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and of man’s devising.
Proverbs 14
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
1 John 4
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God; and such is the spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already it is in the world.
2 John 1
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son.
John 8
12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Mark 8
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it.
John 8
51 Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.”
John 17
3 And this is life eternal: that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
1 Timothy 2
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Acts 4
12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”
James 1
21 Therefore lay apart all filthiness and the superfluity of wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.
John 11
25 Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
26 and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
John 6
68 Then Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life,
Psalm 119
30 I have chosen the way of truth; Thy judgments have I laid before me.
Psalm 119
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Romans 12
2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 2
5 that your faith should not stand on the wisdom of man, but on the power of God.

1 Peter 5
8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 John 2
16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 1
21 Therefore lay apart all filthiness and the superfluity of wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.
1 Corinthians 15
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Thessalonians 5
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
John 3
18 “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36
21st Century King James Version
36 He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Luke 6:5
21st Century King James Version
5 And He said unto them, “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 22
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
John 5:29
21st Century King James Version
29 and shall come forth — they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 8
12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:32
21st Century King James Version
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 6:40
21st Century King James Version
40 And this is the will of Him that sent Me: that every one who seeth the Son and believeth in Him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day.”
Mark 13:13
21st Century King James Version
13 And ye shall be hated by all men for My name’s sake; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Revelation 14:12
21st Century King James Version
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
John 8
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Mark 13
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.



@kellyglasscock6475

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, yeah

Sleep with one eye open
Grippin' your pillow tight

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
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 dragons fire
And of things that will bite, yeah

Sleep with one eye open
Grippin' your pillow tight

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
Off to never, never land

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

Off to never, never land

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



All comments from YouTube:

@texastwister6962

I’m 70. Picking music for my memorial service. This should blow some brains.

@Jack-ny4vu

Do you have long to go cuz I hope you live till your 100. And I would probably like this song to be at my funeral

@glenlafferty8797

That’d be awesome!!! Ya gotta do it. Let em’ send you off to “Nevah, Neverland...”.

@nam_sonz

Bro my dad said to me
"Play heavy metal at my funeral"
I'm like "bet"

@mclovinjr9086

Hopefully that memorial service doesn’t come for a long time man

@016162877

I like your thinking dude 👍

128 More Replies...

@bigblanchette

1991: As a high school football player, this song was always blasting in our football locker room.
2019: As a coach, this song still blasting in football locker room.

@olebramserud59

Same in the hockey locker room here in sweden

@dirtyorangejuice9423

It gets you going

@ciribiribela5338

Uhh, you're not supposed to be in the room where the students are lmao

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