A Dream
Reed (Lou) & John Cale Lyrics

It was a very cold clear fall night
The setting of the dream is described as a chilly autumn night, setting the stage for the events to come.

I had a terrible dream
The singer had a disturbing dream experience that affected them deeply.

Billy Name and Brigid were playing under my stair case on the second floor about two o'clock in the morning
The dream involved the presence of Billy Name and Brigid, engaging in activities beneath the staircase during the late hours of the night.

I woke up because Amos and Archie had started barking
The artist woke from their dream due to the noise of their dogs barking.

That made me very angry because I wasn't feeling well and I told them I was very cross the real me that they just better remember what happened to Sam the bad cat that was left at home and got sick and went pussy heaven
The barking of the dogs angered the artist, who expressed their frustration towards the dogs and warned them to remember the fate of a previous pet that got sick and passed away.

Some snowflakes were falling Gee, it was so beautiful and so I went to get my camera to take some pictures
The falling snowflakes captured the singer's attention with their beauty, prompting them to retrieve their camera in order to capture the scene through photographs.

And then I was taking the pictures but the exposure thing wasn't right and I was going to call Fred or Gerry to find out how to get set it I was too late and then I remembered they were still probably at dinner and anyway I felt really bad and didn't want to talk to anybody
While attempting to take the pictures, the singer encountered difficulties with the exposure settings of their camera. They intended to seek assistance from Fred or Gerry, but it was too late as they realized that they were likely having dinner and the singer felt too upset to talk to anyone.

but the snowflakes were so beautiful and real looking and I really wanted to hold them
The artist was captivated by the enchanting beauty and realism of the snowflakes, expressing a strong desire to physically hold them.

And that's when I heard the voices from down the hall near the stairs So I got a flashlight and I was scared and I went out into the hallway There's been all kinds of troubles lately in the neighborhood and someone's got to bring home the bacon and anyway there were Brigid and Billy playing
Upon hearing voices near the stairs, the artist became afraid and grabbed a flashlight to investigate. They mentioned the recent troubles in the neighborhood that required someone to take care of matters, and then they discovered Brigid and Billy playing.

And under the stair case was a little meadow sort of like the park at 23rd street where all the young kids go and play frisbee Gee, that must be fun maybe we should do an article on that in the magazine but they'll just tell me I'm stupid and it won't sell but I'll just hold my ground this time, I mean it's my magazine, isn't it?
Beneath the staircase, the artist discovered a small meadow reminiscent of a popular park where youngsters gather to play frisbee. They contemplate the idea of featuring the park in their magazine, but anticipate resistance and doubt from others, yet pledge to stand firm this time as it is their magazine.

So I was thinking that as the snowflakes fell and I heard those voices having so much fun Gee, it would be so great to have some fun So I called Billy but either he didn't hear me or he didn't want to answer which was so strange because even if I don't like reunions I've always loved Billy
While witnessing the falling snowflakes and hearing joyful voices, the singer longed for a similar sense of enjoyment. They attempted to reach out to Billy, but either he didn't hear them or chose not to respond, which surprised the singer since they have always held affection for Billy despite their dislike for reunions.

And then I saw John Cale he's been looking really great He's been coming by the office to exercise with me Ronnie said I have a muscle but he's been really mean since he went to AA I mean what does it mean when you give up drinking and then you're still so mean
The artist noticed the presence of John Cale, who appeared to be in good physical condition. John has been regularly visiting the office to exercise with the artist and Ronnie, who commented on the artist's muscle development. However, the artist observed that John has been acting mean since attending Alcoholics Anonymous, leading to confusion about the effects of sobriety on one's temperament.

He says I'm being lazy but I'm not I'm just can't find any ideas I mean I'm just not let's face it going to get any ideas up at the office
John accused the singer of being lazy, but the singer disagreed, explaining that they were struggling to come up with any ideas. They admitted that the office environment was not conducive to generating new ideas.

And seeing John made me think of the Velvets and I had been thinking about them when I was on St. Marks Place going to that new gallery those sweet new kids have opened but the thought I was old and then I saw the old DOM the old club where we did our first shows It was so great
The sight of John Cale triggered memories of the Velvet Underground. The singer had been recently contemplating the band while visiting a newly opened gallery. However, these thoughts led to a sense of feeling old, until they encountered the familiar DOM club, where the band had performed their initial shows, which brought about a feeling of joy and nostalgia.

And I don't understand about that Velvet's first album I mean I did the cover I was the producer and I always see it repackaged and I've never gotten a penny from it How could that be I should call Henry
The singer expresses confusion and frustration regarding the situation surrounding the Velvet Underground's first album. They claim to have created the cover art and acted as the producer. However, they have never received any royalties from the album, leading to a desire to contact Henry for clarification and resolution.

but it was good seeing John I did a cover for him but I did in black and white and he change it to color It would have been worth more if he'd left it my way but you can never tell any body anything I've leaned that
Despite the frustration with John's alteration of the cover art, the artist found satisfaction in seeing him. They mention creating a cover for John, but it was initially in black and white and John chose to change it to color. The artist believes their version would have had higher value but acknowledges the difficulty of conveying their opinions to others.

I tried calling again to Billy and John they wouldn't recognize me it was like I wasn't there
The artist attempted to contact both Billy and John once more, but they seemed unable to recognize or acknowledge the artist's presence, giving the impression that the artist was invisible.

Why won't they let me in
The singer questions why Billy and John are excluding them, preventing them from being part of their world.

And then I saw Lou I'm so mad at him Lou Reed got married and didn't invite me I mean is it because he thought I'd bring too many people I don't get it could have at least called I mean he's doing so great Why doesn't he call me? I saw him at the MTV show and he was one row away and he didn't even say hello I don't get it You know I hate Lou I really do He won't even hire us for his videos And I was proud of him
The singer's anger is directed towards Lou Reed, who recently got married without extending an invitation. The singer questions Lou's motive for not including them and wonders if it was due to their tendency to bring large groups of people. They express confusion over Lou's actions and disappointment that Lou didn't even call. Despite their hatred towards Lou, the singer admits to being proud of him and laments the lack of involvement in his music videos.

I was so scared today There was blood leaking thought my shirt from those old scars from being shot And the corset I wear to keep my insides in was hurting And I did three sets of fifteen pushups and four sets of ten setups But then my insides hurt and I saw drops of blood on my shirt and I remember the doctors saying I was dead And then later they had to take blood out of my hand 'couse they ran out or veins but then all this thinking was making me an old grouch and you can't do anything anyway so if they wouldn't let me play with them in my own dream I was just going to have to make another and another and another Gee, wouldn't it be funny if I died in this dream before I could make another one up
The artist describes feeling afraid due to the sight of blood seeping through their shirt, resulting from old gunshot wounds. Their corset aimed to keep their insides intact but caused discomfort. Despite engaging in rigorous exercises, their insides continued to cause pain and blood droplets stained their clothing. Memories of doctors pronouncing them dead in the past resurfaced, and they recalled having blood withdrawn through their hand due to a lack of accessible veins. The artist recognizes the negative impact of excessive thinking, leading them to become irritable. They acknowledge the futility of taking action as others do not allow them to participate in their own dream. Therefore, they determine to create alternate dreams repeatedly and amusingly express the possibility of dying before experiencing another dream.

And nobody called
The artist reflects on feeling ignored and abandoned as nobody reached out to them.

And nobody came
The artist expresses a sense of loneliness and isolation as nobody came to their aid or companionship.