For A Dream
Tracy Chapman Lyrics

I picture us together
The singer is imagining a happy moment in the past where they were together with their loved ones.

Framed in gold leaf
The imaginary moment is precious and valuable to the singer.

On the mantle with the others
The imaginary moment is captured in a photograph and displayed among other pictures of the family.

One big happy family
The family in the imaginary moment is united, harmonious and content.

But that snapshot can't be found
The photograph of the imaginary moment does not exist in reality.

And I don't trust my memory
The singer fears that their memory of the imaginary moment might be distorted or unreliable.

But it's alright it's alright
The singer reassures themselves that it's okay to find solace in imaginary moments and memories.

For a dream
The artist acknowledges that this imaginary moment is just a dream, and not reality.

I imagine we are gathered
The artist imagines another happy moment with their loved ones.

But this time not dressed in black
The imagined moment is not a funeral, and the family is not mourning someone's death.

There's laughing and smiling
The family is happy, joyful and content in this imagined moment.

Not stabbing in the back
The family is not betraying each other or causing harm in this imaginary moment.

But it's too good to be true
The imagined moment is too perfect and idealistic to exist in reality.

And too bad I still recall the screams
The singer cannot forget the awful, traumatic memories that linger in their mind.

I keep half the picture
The singer can only remember part of the imaginary moment, but not all of it.

Mostly in my mind
The imaginary moment only exists in the artist's memory.

Mama dressed in white
The artist remembers their mother wearing white clothing in the imaginary moment.

Ripped when she held your hand
The singer remembers a specific detail about their mother's clothing getting torn while holding someone's hand in the imaginary moment.

Showing no signs of age
The singer remembers their mother looking young and healthy in the imaginary moment.

Just slightly frayed along the seam
The artist remembers a minor imperfection in their mother's clothing from the imaginary moment.

It's alright
The artist reassures themself that everything is okay.

All that I can claim
The artist acknowledges that they can't claim anything beyond their own imagination and memories.

And it will have to do
The singer has to accept that their imaginary memories are all they have.

Better than the pain
The artist finds solace in their imaginary memories, even if it's temporary and not entirely satisfying.

Better than the truth
The singer believes that their imaginary memories are better than the harsh reality they face.

Alright for a dream
The singer concludes that their imaginary memories are okay for a dream, and that's as far as it should go.

Better than fate and the great scheme
The singer finds comfort in their imaginary memories, rather than be resigned to accept the fate and the universe's plan for them.

For Christmas and for New Year
The artist reflects on these two holidays which are traditionally associated with hope, joy, and new beginnings.

I wish and I resolve
The artist makes wishes and resolutions for the new year, intending to bring positive change.

But I'm disappointed by myself Jesus and Santa Claus
The singer is disappointed in themselves, religion, and society for failing to fulfill their desires and hopes.

I want to believe
The singer has a strong desire to believe in something positive and good.

She's been saved
The artist hopes that someone they love has been rescued from harm or danger.

And he's be redeemed
The artist hopes that someone they love has achieved redemption or salvation from past mistakes or wrongdoings.