Sleep
The Brigham Young University Singers Lyrics
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A silver thread on darken dune
With closing eyes, and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon
Upon my pillow, safe in bed
A thousand pictures fill my head
I can not sleep my mind's aflight and yet my limbs seem made of lead
If there are noises, in the night
As I surrender unto sleep
Where clouds of dream, give second sight
What dreams may come both dark and deep,
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep Unto sleep
Sleep
in is a beautiful song that captures the essence of the moments just before sleep takes over. The opening lines set the tone of the song, with the evening hanging beneath the moon, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The line "A silver thread on darken dune" is a reference to the moonlight shining on the sand dunes, creating a beautiful and serene image.
As the song continues, we see the singer settling into bed, ready to drift off to sleep. However, their mind is still active and unable to rest. The line "A thousand pictures fill my head" describes the racing thoughts that can keep us up at night, despite our body's fatigue. The contrasting imagery of a mind taking flight, while limbs feel heavy, captures the struggle to achieve a peaceful state of mind.
As the singer finally surrenders to sleep, they acknowledge the possibility of dreams, both dark and deep. The reference to flying wings and soaring leap suggests that the dreams may also be uplifting and joyful. Overall, Sleep in is a beautiful and thoughtful exploration of the moments before sleep, capturing the feelings of peace, rest, and anticipation.
Line by Line Meaning
The evening hangs beneath the moon
The night time is here and the moon is in the sky
A silver thread on darken dune
The moonlight is shining on the dark sand
With closing eyes, and resting head
I'm getting ready for bed
I know that sleep is coming soon
I can feel that I'm about to fall asleep
Upon my pillow, safe in bed
I'm comfortable and cozy in my bed
A thousand pictures fill my head
My mind is active and I'm imagining many different things
I can not sleep my mind's aflight and yet my limbs seem made of lead
Although my mind is active, my body feels heavy and tired
If there are noises, in the night
If I hear any sounds while I'm trying to sleep
A frightening shadow, flickering light
I might see scary images or shadows around me
As I surrender unto sleep
As I let myself fall into a deep sleep
Where clouds of dream, give second sight
My dreams will take me to another world where I can see things I can't in the real world
What dreams may come both dark and deep,
I may have good dreams or bad dreams
Of flying wings and soaring leap
My dreams may include flying or jumping high
As I surrender unto sleep Unto sleep Sleep
I fully embrace the idea of falling asleep and resting peacefully
Writer(s): Eric Whitacre
Contributed by Zoe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.