Shirley & Dolly Collins are a renowned English folk duo from Sussex consist… Read Full Bio ↴Shirley & Dolly Collins are a renowned English folk duo from Sussex consisting of sisters Shirley Collins and Dolly Collins. Their seminal recording is considered by many to be 'Anthems in Eden', released in 1969. It featured a suite of songs centred on the changes in rural England brought about by the First World War. Dolly Collins created arrangements featuring David Munrow and various other players from his Early Music Consort of London.

Later albums include Love, Death and the Lady (1970), Amaranth (1976), For as Many as Will (1978), Harking Back (1979), and Snapshots Fledg'ling (2006). A compedium album of their early work, The Harvest Years, was released in 2008.

A Dream
Shirley & Dolly Collins Lyrics

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Well what am I to do
When I've spent it all on you?
And it's not up to me
To walk you down with ease
Either way you choose
I will be stepping out
Cause what am I to do
When there's only space for you?

Oh
Woke up in a cold sweat
Couldn't feel my hands
Everyone is faceless
Even my friends
And I couldn't get away
Held in place
I evade
When vanity is my friend
I am leaving here
My friend
Look at this mess
I try my best to play it safe
And then I'm betrayed
And I won't believe your ignorance
Well what am I to do
When I've spent it all on you?
And it's not up to me
To walk you down with ease
Either way you choose
I will be stepping out
Cause what am I to do
When there's only space for you?
Oh
Goodbye
My friends
I am leaving you
Goodbye
Goodbye

Goodbye
Goodbye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "A Dream" by Shirley & Dolly Collins convey a sense of emotional struggle and frustration. The singer seems to be addressing a situation where they have devoted a lot of their time, energy, and resources to someone else, only to realize that it's not reciprocated equally. The line "Well what am I to do, when I've spent it all on you?" reflects this sentiment. The singer feels trapped, as it is not their responsibility to make the other person happy ("And it's not up to me to walk you down with ease"), but they also can't escape the situation because there seems to be no space for themselves ("When there's only space for you").

The second part of the song introduces a dream-like state, where the singer awakes in a cold sweat, unable to feel their hands and surrounded by faceless individuals, even their friends. This imagery suggests a feeling of isolation and detachment from their relationships. The phrase "And I couldn't get away, held in place, I evade when vanity is my friend" highlights a struggle between wanting to break free and needing to maintain appearances.

The repetition of "Goodbye" at the end serves as a final farewell to the friends and the situation that has caused pain and frustration. It encapsulates the singer's decision to leave behind the toxicity and prioritize their own well-being.

Line by Line Meaning

Well what am I to do
I am unsure of what actions to take

When I've spent it all on you?
After using all my resources on you

And it's not up to me
I do not have control

To walk you down with ease
To guide you effortlessly

Either way you choose
Regardless of your decision

I will be stepping out
I will be removing myself from the situation

Cause what am I to do
Because I am uncertain of what actions to take

When there's only space for you?
When there is no room for me in your life

Oh
Expressing frustration or realization

Woke up in a cold sweat
Awakening suddenly and feeling anxious

Couldn't feel my hands
Experiencing numbness or loss of sensation