Dream Within a Dream
Propaganda Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

all that we see or seem
is but a dream within a dream

take this kiss upon the brow
and in parting from you now
this much let me avow
you are not wrong who deemed
that my days have been a dream
yet if hope has flown away
in a night, in a day, in a vision, or a memory
is it therefore the less gone?
all that we see or seem
is but a dream within a dream

I stand amid the roar
of the surf tormented shore
and I hold within my hands
grains of golden sand
how few yet how they creep
through my fingers to the deep
while I weep, while I weep
oh god can I not grasp them with a tighter clasp
oh god can I not save one from the pitiless wave




is all that we see or seem
but a dream within a dream

Overall Meaning

The song "Dream Within a Dream" by Propaganda is a poetic reflection that depicts the fragility and transience of human life. The song opens and closes with the repetition of the line "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream," which is derived from Edgar Allan Poe's poem "A Dream Within a Dream." It is a powerful metaphor that suggests that our lives are fleeting and transient, just like a dream.


The lyrics describe the singer's attempt to hold onto the grains of sand slipping through their fingers, which represents their struggle to hold onto the moments and memories of their life. The singer expresses their despair and frustration at the realization that they are unable to grasp the sand with a tighter clasp and save the grains from the pitiless waves. The singer's sense of despair is juxtaposed against the beauty of the surf-tormented shore, which highlights the fleeting nature of all beauty and the inevitability of the passing of time.


The song's message is one of acceptance and surrender to the transience of life. Though there is a sense of sadness and despair in the words, the message is ultimately one of hope. The song is a powerful reminder that life is short and fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment.


Line by Line Meaning

All that we see or seem
Everything we observe or experience


Is but a dream within a dream
Is only a figment of our imagination, an illusion


Take this kiss upon the brow
Accept this farewell gesture from me


And in parting from you now
As I leave you now


This much let me avow
Let me declare this


You are not wrong who deemed
You are not mistaken to think


That my days have been a dream
That my life has been like a dream


Yet if hope has flown away
But if hope has vanished


In a night, in a day, in a vision, or a memory
Whether it happened in reality or imagination, or is recalled from the past


Is it therefore the less gone?
Does that mean it has disappeared any less?


I stand amid the roar
I'm standing amidst the loud noise


Of the surf tormented shore
Of the beach with rough waters


And i hold within my hands
And I have in my hands


Grains of golden sand
Tiny particles of sand that are golden in color


How few yet how they creep
There are so few of them, yet they slip away


Through my fingers to the deep
Through my grasp and into the depths of the sea


While i weep, while i weep
As I cry, as I cry


Oh god can i not grasp them with a tighter clasp
Oh god, can't I hold onto them more tightly?


Oh god can i not save one from the pitiless wave
Oh god, can't I rescue just one from the merciless wave?


Is all that we see or seem
Is everything we observe or experience


But a dream within a dream
Only an imaginative creation, an illusion




Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

ronnie doorzon

@Kim Parking
Trevor Horn is the best producer ever imo. Only he was also a hard man to do busines with, but i forgive him because of the great music he produced.
And music in the 80's was soooooooo diverse and new. a time where the most new styles of music were invented, and i was there when that all happend,
so i am sooooo lucky to grow up in that great decade! And not as a little kid, but from 14 to 24, so the best time of my life when it comes to going out,
because i never skipped a weekend of going out in those years! From a young teen to a young man, drinking beer, smoking weed, snort a little coke,
having alot of sex, having fun with my friends, still living at home so no bills to pay, so never no worries at all, just pure unadulterated fun!!
Damn i mis those days! Now i'm 53, my back complete ruined and shot, and no strength to stand up and walk for longer than 15 minutes,
some friends died from cancer, some killed themselves, and the rest i don't see anymore because of little differences we had, so life didn't got better after
my younger years, so i mis those good old days.



M. SAINT

A Dream Within a Dream


By Edgar Allan Poe



Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow —

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone? 

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.



I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand —

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep — while I weep!

O God! Can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?



brushuk

A Dream Within a Dream Related Poem Content Details
BY EDGAR ALLAN POE
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow —
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep — while I weep!
O God! Can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?



Tom Cat

Auf deine Stirn dir diesen Kuss
und da ich leider gehen muss,
erfährst du nun zum Schluss:
Wie wahrhaft deine Klage,
welch Traum war'n meine Tage.
Wenn alle Hoffnung fliehen mag
in dunkler Nacht und auch bei Tag
in starkem Glauben oder Kleinem,
kann es deshalb minder scheinen?
Doch was wir scheinen oder schaun,
es bleibt der Traum in einem Traum.

Brüllende Brandung, fest am Rand,
steh ich am gischtgepeitschtem Strand
und ich halt in meiner Hand
Körner schwer aus goldnem Sand -
ein paar nur, doch sie rieseln
durch die Finger wie ein Fließen,
und meine Tränen schießen!
Ich kann sie doch nicht halten;
müsst die Finger fester falten?
O Gott! Wie kann ich Körner retten
vor gnadenlosen Wellenketten?
Ist, was wir scheinen oder schaun,
doch nur ein Traum in einem Traum?



All comments from YouTube:

Steve Golliot Villers

Nearly 40 years after it's original release, this piece is still just brilliant.

guiltseeker

I still listen to it!!!!?

So amazing ... this whole album was genius.

Peer X

It is a dream within a dream

Peer X

I still love this album, even 30 years later. I have never seen them live, when I had the chance. I still blame myself.

gerrit voogd

Heb er gewoon géén woorden voor dit nummer is zo geniaal.

Peer X

@gerrit voogd 30 jaar later is dit nog steeds geweldig.

whitepearl

342..hz..

6 More Replies...

Insanity Pants

Never has a poem by Edgar Allan Poe been put to music in a better way

Suze Szymanski

I recited it at my Performance Arts class and they loved it. Yes I couldn't agree more. Loved E.A.Poes novels too.

More Comments

More Versions