I could watch your REM for hours without getting bored
and hear your palate weave and flow
at times when you are most unconscious

I love you when you're sleeping
I love you when you're dreaming far away

People live here up and down
and they don't have padded walls
and they scream at their TVs
I wish they could give me earplugs

I love you when you're sleeping
I love you when your feet are off the ground
I love you when you're sleeping
I love you when you cannot make a sound

Someone told me hatred was a crime
But hatred's not what I've got on my mind
Everyone must learn it sooner or later
Everybody must love their neighbor
I love you when you're sleeping

I could name some kings and queens
and presidents upon their thrones
I wonder how they face themselves
when they are not out in public

I love you when you're sleeping
I love you when your dreaming's low and long
I love you when you're sleeping
I love you when you're far away and gone

and when you're awake I may not say
I love you when you're sleeping
when you're sleeping

WORDS AND MUSIC BY COLIN LINDEN