The Big Sleep
Streetlight Manifesto Lyrics

Why do we cry when you know how the story ends?
Despite knowing how things will turn out in the end, it's still hard not to feel emotional about it.

How can you laugh when you know that it hurts your friends?
It's difficult to find joy when you're aware that someone you care about is suffering.

We've all been there once but you never left
Everyone goes through tough times, but it seems like the person in question hasn't moved on from their own struggles.

This is me coming back back to get you out
The artist is reaching out to help their friend overcome their struggles and move forward.

To say goodbye to make amends
Part of moving on might mean saying goodbye, but it's important to resolve any outstanding issues first.

I'm not leaving this place
The singer is committed to helping their friend, and won't leave until they're sure they're alright.

Unless I'm leaving with you
The singer wants to make sure that their friend is safe and taken care of, and won't leave them alone.

You're the only person with a half decent heart here
The artist sees their friend as a good person, who deserves better than what they've been dealt.

And I know you will put it to use
The artist trusts their friend to overcome their struggles and turn things around.

Until it's gone, gone, gone
It's important to take advantage of the good things in your life before they disappear.

Na, na, na
A musical interlude in the song.

And you close your eyes for the big sleep
The song's title and a metaphor for death.

I hope you think of me
The singer wants to be remembered by their friend after they're gone.

And if you go, I'll be gone
The singer doesn't want to live without their friend, and will die if they do.

And you'll be left alone to live your life, as you please
The singer knows that their friend will move on eventually, and hopes that they find happiness.

But someday you'll agree that I was always meant for you
The artist has strong feelings for their friend, and believes they're meant to be together.

You were always meant for me and you will see: that you're impossible
The artist sees their friend as a perfect match for them, but also recognizes that they might be difficult to be with.

Me and Mr. Dylan on the ride home
A reference to Bob Dylan, the singer and Dylan might have had a conversation about life.

We had a heart to heart about life
The singer and Dylan had a sincere conversation about the challenges of life that they both face.

But neither him or me could decide for ourselves if we wanted to outlive that night
Both the artist and Dylan are facing difficult circumstances, and aren't sure if they want to continue living.

Like two children on the playground of the unconfessed souls
The artist and Dylan are vulnerable and struggling, like children who haven't yet figured out how the world works.

Abandoned by our mothers and our lovers and our foes
Both the artist and Dylan have been abandoned by people they cared about, as well as people who opposed them.

If only we were brave enough to live the lives we stole
The singer wishes they had the courage to take control of their lives and live authentically.

What a wonderful world this could be!
Despite their struggles and challenges, the artist still has hope for a better future.

So how many more examples until we break?
The singer is wondering how much more hardship they can take before they reach their limit.

How many sacrifices must we make?
The singer is frustrated at the amount of effort and sacrifice it takes to overcome their struggles.

Because we've all been there once before
Everyone has faced challenges and struggles, and can empathize with the singer's situation.

And it looks like we've returned once more
The artist is realizing that their struggles are cyclical, and they're back in a familiar place.

Is this the beginning or the end?
The artist is uncertain whether their situation is changing for better or for worse.

The last two soldiers on the battlefield
A metaphor for the singer and their friend as the only remaining people battling their demons.

Survivors of the war
The singer and their friend have made it through tough times, but the struggle isn't over yet.

They aim at one another while their mothers beg the lord
The artist and their friend might feel like they're fighting each other, but both of their mothers are hoping they'll make it through.

"If you're listening, I'm missing him
A plea to a higher power from one of the mothers, hoping their son comes back.

So somehow bring him home
The mother is asking for help from a higher power to bring her son back safely.

How did it come to this?"
A rhetorical question asking how things could have gotten so bad.

So the soldiers lift their rifles
Metaphorically, the artist and their friend might feel like they're fighting against each other with metaphorical weapons.

They're aiming at the head
The situation feels severe and dangerous.

They think of their first love before they take their final breaths
The singer and their friend might be reflecting on their past lives and experiences before their potential deaths.

And some where in the distance they hear something someone said: "how did it come to this?"
Despite being alone in their struggle, the singer and their friend might feel like they're part of a larger problem.