Sleeping by Her Side
Desert Dreams: Love Unveiled in John Mayall's 'Sleeping by Her Side'
Lyrics
On a warm summer night in Arizona
Describes the setting of the event - a warm summer night in Arizona.
Saw a girl, Lord, I want her so bad
The singer expresses a strong desire for a girl he saw.
On a warm summer night in Arizona
Reiteration of the setting and the singer's intense desire for the girl.
I saw a girl, Lord, I want her so bad
Reiteration of the singer's strong desire for the girl.
But I got no chance to tell her
The singer feels he missed the opportunity to express his feelings to the girl.
Of the feelings that I have
He regrets not being able to convey his emotions to her.
She went back to the hills with the party
The girl went back to the hills with the party, possibly in an altered state due to drugs ("falling, helpless and stoned").
She was falling, helpless and stoned
Describes the girl's condition as being under the influence of drugs.
Followed her through the night of the desert
The singer followed the girl through the desert night.
And I waited till she slept alone
He waited until she fell asleep by herself.
Then I laid her head on my shoulder
The singer shows care by placing her head on his shoulder while they slept.
We were sleeping, she was my home
They slept together, and the singer felt a sense of home with her.
Bodies warm wrapped together at a cradle
They were physically close, resembling a cradle, and she slept deeply.
She was sleeping like a baby child
Describes the girl's deep sleep, likening it to that of a peaceful baby.
Bodies warm wrapped together at a cradle
Reiteration of the deep sleep metaphor used for the girl.
She was sleeping like a baby child
-And the sun coming up on a desert
Describes the sunrise in the desert while they were still asleep together.
So they sleeping by the side
Indicates the continuation of their sleep as the sun rises, suggesting a tranquil moment despite the surroundings.
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