Sleepless
The Decemberists Lyrics
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On a pea green sea
Never thought that I could find you so hollow
Laying into me
But this cup of wine
All salt and brine makes me sleepy
And sorrow sows
But I don't know
I've got nothing to hold on to
Wished for gold so I could buy you a palace
By the riverside
You'd come in and I would fill your diamond chalice
You were still alive
But this cup of wine
All salt and brine makes me sleepy
And sorrow sows
A field of tears that will never yield a single penny
But I don't know
I've got nothing to hold on to
I've got nothing to hold on to
Were you sleepless, tearing at the air?
Was the water everywhere?
Were you fretful, to wade into the room?
I'd been wanting to hear from you
Oh, no
Hand it over (hand it over)
Hand it over (oh)
You're weary, lay him down
You did your time so thank you very much
Hand it over (hand it over)
Hand it over (oh)
So now your hopes are all allayed
But you hand it all away
Did his eyelids affix on empty chairs
You had traveled to lay beside?
A gentle torture to watch it all recede
And all the while your mother slept beside him
Oh, no
Hand it over (hand it over)
Hand it over (oh)
You're weary, lay him down
You did your time so thank you very much
Hand it over (hand it over)
Hand it over (oh)
So now your hopes are all allayed
But you hand it all away
Were you sleepless, tearing at the air?
Was the water everywhere?
Were you fearful, and long to run away
From the cold clasp of Illinois?
Oh, no
Hand it over (hand it over)
Hand it over (oh)
You're weary, lay him down
You did your time so thank you very much
Hand it over (hand it over)
Hand it over (oh)
So now your hopes are all allayed
But you hand it all away
But you hand it all away
The Decemberists' "Sleepless" is a song that's open to interpretation, but it's clear that the lyrics are about loss, grief, and moving on. The first stanza paints a picture of someone lying before the singer like a shadow on a pea green sea. The singer then goes on to express their disappointment in finding this person hollow, despite their previous belief that they were special. They're drinking a cup of wine that makes them sleepy and sad, and they recognize that their feelings of sorrow will never yield anything valuable.
The next stanza shifts to the singer wishing for gold to buy this person a palace by the riverside, and filling their diamond chalice. It's clear that the person they're describing is no longer alive. Again, the singer is drinking a cup of wine that makes them sleepy and sad, and they lament the fact that they have nothing to hold on to.
The final two stanzas are a bit more cryptic, but they seem to suggest that the person the singer is addressing was in a state of sleeplessness and fear before they died. The singer urges them to hand over something, which could be interpreted as either their fear or their soul. They tell the person to lay down, because they've done their time. The final line, "But you hand it all away," suggests that the person they're addressing didn't hold on to what was important to them.
Line by Line Meaning
As you lie before me now, like a shadow
You are lying in front of me like a dark, unclear figure.
On a pea green sea
The atmosphere around us is calm and surreal.
Never thought that I could find you so hollow
You have left me stunned as I did not expect you to be so empty.
Laying into me
You are making me feel helpless and lost.
But this cup of wine
The wine that I am drinking is filled with salt and brine.
All salt and brine makes me sleepy
The harsh taste of the wine is making me feel tired and drowsy.
And sorrow sows
I am mourning and my sadness is planting seeds.
A field of tears that will never yield a single penny
My grief is so profound that it will not bring any valuable reward.
But I don't know
I am unsure about my current state of mind and feelings.
I've got nothing to hold on to
There is nothing in my life that can give me comfort or stability.
Wished for gold so I could buy you a palace
I had hopes of providing you with wealth and luxury.
By the riverside
We would reside in a beautiful setting next to the water.
You'd come in and I would fill your diamond chalice
I would welcome you inside and provide you with extravagant possessions.
You were still alive
This was a reality when you were still with me.
Were you sleepless, tearing at the air?
Did you also feel restless and agitated, unable to find a peaceful solution?
Was the water everywhere?
Did the overwhelming emotions fill up the room like a flood?
Were you fretful, to wade into the room?
Were you also scared to enter the space where our emotions were in turmoil?
I'd been wanting to hear from you
I have been eager to hear your perspective and thoughts.
Oh, no
This is not a positive development.
Hand it over (hand it over)
I am asking you to give me control or responsibility.
You're weary, lay him down
You are tired and ready to let go.
You did your time so thank you very much
You have fulfilled your obligations and have my gratitude.
So now your hopes are all allayed
You can now rest assured that your desires will be met.
But you hand it all away
You have given up everything and lost control.
Did his eyelids affix on empty chairs
Was he staring blankly at an empty space, lost in thought?
You had traveled to lay beside?
Did you come to his side to find comfort?
A gentle torture to watch it all recede
It was heart-wrenching to witness everything fade away.
And all the while your mother slept beside him
Throughout this experience, your mother remained by his side.
Were you fearful, and long to run away
Were you also scared and wished to escape the situation?
From the cold clasp of Illinois?
Did you fear the harsh and unwelcoming reality around you in Illinois?
But you hand it all away
In the end, you gave up both control and hope.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COLIN MELOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind