Tired Of Sleeping
Suzanne Vega Lyrics


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Oh Mom, the dreams are not so bad
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping

Oh Mom, the old man is telling me something
His eyes are wide and his mouth is thin
And I just can't hear what he's saying
Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping

Oh Mom, the kids are playing in pennies
They're up to their knees in money
And the dirt of the churchyard steps

Oh Mom, that man he ripped out his lining
He tore out a piece of his body
To show us his "clean quilted heart"

Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping

Oh Mom, the bird on the string is hanging
Her bones are twisting and dancing
She's fighting for her small life

Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping

Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking




It's just that there's so much to do
And I'm tired of sleeping

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Suzanne Vega's song Tired Of Sleeping delve into the complexity of the human experience, exploring the struggle to balance the demands of life with the need for rest and the desire for fulfillment. The first verse presents a paradoxical situation - the singer is dreaming, yet they are not at peace. This is because they perceive that there is an overwhelming amount of work to be done, and they are feeling burnt out from the constant activity. The second verse introduces a new character, an old man who is communicating something important, but the singer cannot hear him. This could represent a missed opportunity for growth or learning due to exhaustion or distraction.


The third verse introduces children playing with pennies and dirt, seemingly carefree and unburdened by the worries of adult life. However, the fourth verse reveals another character who has undergone a painful process to present a veneer of purity and goodness - "the man with the clean quilted heart". The fifth verse is the most disturbing, describing a bird hanging from a string, fighting for survival. This could represent the singer's own struggle to maintain balance and motivation in life.


Overall, the song is a meditation on the struggle of modern life, and the balance of rest, creativity and productivity in our lives. Through the use of metaphor, Vega explores the fundamental human desire to live a meaningful and fulfilling existence.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh Mom, the dreams are not so bad
I don't mind dreaming, but there's so much I want to accomplish in reality


It's just that there's so much to do
I have a lot of goals and responsibilities to fulfill


And I'm tired of sleeping
I want to be awake and pursue my ambitions


Oh Mom, the old man is telling me something
I feel like I'm missing out on important advice or wisdom


His eyes are wide and his mouth is thin
He seems intense and serious about his message


And I just can't hear what he's saying
I'm too distracted or preoccupied to fully absorb his words


Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
I'm eager to start pursuing my goals and aspirations


Oh Mom, the kids are playing in pennies
Children are carefree and easily amused by simple things


They're up to their knees in money
They see value in small things that adults might overlook


And the dirt of the churchyard steps
Even something as simple as dirt can be fascinating to a child


Oh Mom, that man he ripped out his lining
Someone is showing vulnerability and revealing their true self


He tore out a piece of his body
This person is exposing their pain or emotions to others


To show us his "clean quilted heart"
They want to prove that they are honest and sincere, despite their flaws


Oh Mom, the bird on the string is hanging
I see someone or something suffering and struggling


Her bones are twisting and dancing
The pain and struggle is causing physical distress


She's fighting for her small life
This creature is struggling to survive against all odds


Oh Mom, I wonder when I'll be waking
I'm anxious to start living my life and accomplishing my goals


It's just that there's so much to do
I don't want to waste time or miss out on opportunities


And I'm tired of sleeping
I feel restless and unfulfilled, and want to be productive




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SUZANNE VEGA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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