We Are the Sleepyheads
Ofln - Belle & Sebastian Lyrics
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Looking for the pleasure that he knew was so far gone
So far gone
I took a turn to myself
And I was surprised, cause I saw everyone who ever I had loved
I felt a whole lot better after that
People look at us and they think were doing fine
All the time
But they never take to us
We've been in this town so long we may as well be dead
So long as people turn their heads
And cross the street whenever we walk on by
Someone told the truth when it really mattered most
The beauty of the moment is the beauty sadly lost
Sadly lost
So I went around to your house
Over tea and gin we talked about the things we read
In Luke and John the things he said
And now it's morning we are the sleepyheads
The lyrics of "We Are the Sleepyheads" by Belle & Sebastian touch on themes of weariness, longing, unfulfilled expectations, and moments of connection and reflection. The opening lines describe a sense of exhaustion and internal coldness, likening it to a beggar searching for a pleasure that seems out of reach and distant. The singer takes a moment to turn inwards and reflects on the people they have loved, finding some solace in that introspection. This introspective moment appears to bring a sense of comfort and relief.
The following verses shift the focus to how others perceive the singer and their companions. Despite outward appearances suggesting that they are doing well, the reality is far from that. The lyrics convey a sense of being overlooked or ignored by the people around them, to the point where they feel invisible and out of touch with the world. The feeling of being stagnant in a town where they have been for so long that it feels like they might as well be nonexistent is palpable.
The mention of someone telling the truth when it mattered the most highlights the importance of honesty and genuine connection in a world where moments of beauty are often overlooked or underappreciated. The sentiment of beauty being sadly lost speaks to the transient nature of precious moments and experiences. The singer then visits someone's house for conversation over tea and gin, delving into meaningful discussions about literature and spiritual beliefs, particularly referencing passages from the books of Luke and John in the Bible.
The final lines of the lyrics bring the narrative to a close with a poignant image of morning breaking as the characters are characterized as "sleepyheads." This image symbolizes a state of drowsiness or weariness, perhaps suggesting a continuation of the themes of exhaustion and longing present throughout the song. Overall, the lyrics of "We Are the Sleepyheads" paint a picture of introspection, emotional depth, longing for connection, and a sense of resignation to the complexities of human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired like the beggar with the cold inside his bones
Feeling exhausted and drained, like a beggar who is feeling the chill deep within his bones
Looking for the pleasure that he knew was so far gone
Seeking happiness or joy that he once knew was long gone and out of reach
So far gone
To emphasize just how distant that pleasure or happiness feels
I took a turn to myself
I reflected inwardly on my own thoughts and feelings
And I was surprised, cause I saw everyone who ever I had loved
I was surprised to see in my thoughts everyone I had ever loved
I felt a whole lot better after that
I experienced a great sense of relief and comfort after reflecting on my loved ones
People look at us and they think we're doing fine
Others see us and assume we are doing well
People look at us cause they see us all the time
People's constant sightings of us lead them to look at us
But they never take to us
However, they never truly connect with us
We've been in this town so long we may as well be dead
We have been in this town for such a long time that we might as well be considered lifeless
So long as people turn their heads
As long as people choose to ignore us or avoid us
And cross the street whenever we walk on by
They go to the extent of crossing the street to avoid passing by us
Someone told the truth when it really mattered most
Someone bravely spoke the truth when it was most crucial
The beauty of the moment is the beauty sadly lost
The beauty of a moment is lost and can never be regained
So I went around to your house
I visited your house and paid you a visit
Over tea and gin we talked about the things we read
We discussed the things we had read while sharing tea and gin
In Luke and John the things he said
We discussed the teachings and words found in the books of Luke and John
And now it's morning we are the sleepyheads
As morning has arrived, we are still feeling the effects of sleepiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB KILDEA, CHRISTOPHER GEDDES, MICHAEL COOKE, RICHARD COLBURN, SARAH MARTIN, STEPHEN JACKSON, STUART MURDOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind