Trey Anastasio (born Ernest Joseph Anastasio III on September 30, 1964 in F… Read Full Bio ↴Trey Anastasio (born Ernest Joseph Anastasio III on September 30, 1964 in Fort Worth, Texas, United States) is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. He is credited by name as composer of 152 Phish originals, 140 of them as a solo credit, in addition to 41 credits attributed to the band in the generic. He was rated as number 73 on The Rolling Stone List of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2003.

Throughout his career, Anastasio has participated in various projects outside of Phish, furthering his reputation as a multifaceted composer, instrumentalist, and vocalist. He continues to thrill fans with powerful live performances, and is by no means close to being finished.

Sleep
Trey Anastasio Lyrics

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Slow, slow, my brother
You will sleep again
Long, long, when it passes
You will breathe again
Snow falls, oh
And it passes

Time, time, in good time

You will live again
Hold on, when it passes
You will be again
Long, long, on and on
Carefree and downstream

You will live again
You will live again
You will live again

All you'll be and all that's gone
Is leading you on and on, on and on
You will live again
You will live again

Slow, slow, my brother
You will sleep again
Long, long, when it passes
You will breathe again
Snow falls, oh
And it passes

You will sleep again
You will sleep again
You will sleep again

All you'll be and all that's gone
Is leading you on and on, on and on

All you'll be and all that's gone
Is leading you on and on, on and on

You will sleep again
You will sleep again
You will sleep again

You will sleep again
You will sleep again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Trey Anastasio's song "Sleep" convey a message of comfort and reassurance to someone who is going through a difficult time. The repetition of the phrase "slow, slow, my brother" emphasizes a sense of patience and understanding. The singer tells the listener that despite their current struggles, they will find rest and peace again. The phrase "you will sleep again" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that there will be a respite from the hardships they are facing.

The lyrics also touch on the notion of time and its healing power. The singer encourages the listener to hold on and have faith, as time will eventually bring about a change for the better. The phrases "long, long, when it passes" and "time, time, in good time" convey a sense of optimism, assuring the listener that their current difficulties are temporary and that they will eventually experience joy and contentment once more.

The mention of snow falling and passing can be interpreted as a metaphor for the challenges and hardships of life. Just as snowflakes fall and eventually melt, tough times will pass, making way for new beginnings and possibilities. The repetition of the phrase "you will live again" reinforces the idea that the listener will not only survive but thrive, finding happiness and purpose.

Overall, "Sleep" offers a comforting message of hope and resilience, reminding the listener that even in the darkest times, there is always a glimmer of light and the promise of better days ahead.

Line by Line Meaning

Slow, slow, my brother
Take your time, my brother

You will sleep again
You will find rest once more

Long, long, when it passes
It may take a while, but when it is over

You will breathe again
You will find relief once more

Snow falls, oh
Difficult times come and go

And it passes
And they eventually pass

Time, time, in good time
In due course, at the right time

You will live again
You will experience life once more

Hold on, when it passes
Endure, for when it is over

You will be again
You will exist once more

Long, long, on and on
It may seem lengthy and continuous