I've Been Asleep for a Long, Long Time
Slumber's Legacy: Waking to Lost Time
Lyrics
I've been asleep for a long, long time
I have been in a state of unawareness or emotional detachment for an extended period.
Blond hair to brown and then brown to white
Describing a physical transformation, possibly reflecting changes over time.
My ma is buried beside my dad
The speaker's mother is buried next to their father.
But I was asleep for all of that
Despite significant events, the speaker remained emotionally distant or oblivious.
I shut my eyes for a moment's rest
The speaker closes their eyes to take a short break, suggesting weariness.
Cause I get so tired
The speaker is tired and seeks rest.
What thing transpired while my body slept?
Reflecting on events that occurred during the speaker's physical rest.
Beset my mind
The speaker's mind is troubled by events that unfolded during their sleep.
All the schools that I went to have all been closed
All the schools the speaker attended have closed, and their teachers may have passed away.
And all of my teachers are dead I suppose
The speaker reflects on the mortality of their teachers.
The songs that we sung have all gone quiet
The songs from the speaker's past are now silent, possibly indicating lost connections or memories.
What happens below as you sleep at night?
Pondering what happens in the world while the speaker is asleep.
I shut my eyes for a moment's rest
Similar to line 6, the speaker closes their eyes again for a brief rest.
Cause I get so tired
Reiteration of the speaker's fatigue and the need for rest.
What things transpired while my body slept?
Continued reflection on events that occurred during the speaker's sleep.
Beset my mind
The speaker's mind is troubled by the consequences of events during their sleep.
The river's up, the reeds are caught
Describing a scene where a river's water level rises and reeds are entangled.
Halfway across what never was
Highlighting an incomplete or unrealized state ("Halfway across what never was").
The water rose and swept in slow
The water rises and slowly engulfs the reeds, possibly symbolizing change or transformation.
When the reeds awoke they were half below
Upon awakening, the reeds find themselves submerged.
I've been asleep for a long, long time
Repetition of the idea of a prolonged sleep or emotional numbness.
Blond hair to brown and then brown to white
Reiteration of physical transformation over time.
My ma is buried beside my dad
Repeating the burial of the speaker's mother beside their father.
But I was asleep for all of that
Despite significant events, the speaker remained emotionally distant or oblivious.
I've been asleep for a long, long time
Repetition of the idea of a prolonged sleep or emotional numbness.
Blond hair to brown and brown to white
Reiteration of physical transformation over time.
My ma is buried beside my dad
Repeating the burial of the speaker's mother beside their father.
But I was asleep for all of that
Despite significant events, the speaker remained emotionally distant or oblivious.
For all of that
Reiterating that the speaker was asleep for all the events described.
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