There is freedom within,
There is freedom without,
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup

There's a battle ahead,
Many battles are lost,
But you'll never see the end of the road
while you're travelling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in

They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
In the paper today tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in

They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only the shadows ahead barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in

They come, they come
To build a wall between us
Don't ever let them win.



Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Track duration: 03:57


Don't Dream It's Over song meanings
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61 Comments

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  • -1
    General Comment:This is about the relationship between us and our God. Freedom = free choice. Battle = the battle each day, the final battle. Deluge = the Flood, consequences of our choices. Don't dream it's over while you're travelling w/ me = Have faith, walk w/ God for here & eternity.. Possessions and struggle w/ the world = how the world can bring us down, but God is always w/ us; how we are not to love the things of the world because it separates us fromHim.
    Flag SoulGrdnron April 07, 2013   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning:There's so much wisdom and insight contained in this song.

    The rhythm has moments of heartbeat, moments arhythmic and meandering, like a river with eddies and furls. The strumming of the opening riff, conjures an image for me of wave-riplets lapping a riverbank or a shoreline.

    At times he sings with the tempo, and at others he'll fall behind or sing ahead of the main rhythm. There's also a funny assymetry to the instrumental break which comes a little more than half way into the song, and repeats about 3 or 4 measures (as a motif) after the main stream of the song begins anew.

    For me, this song is like a river, a kind of metaphor for life. It's all there - the good, the not so good, the obstacles, the ideas and points of view which can hold us prisoner. What I love lyrically about the song is it's call to action - Hey, now, hey, now.. Don't dream it's over! To me, the song speaks of the moment - now - and urges the Lover, whom the singer is addressing to engage with life and embrace a real intention to go beyond doubt, not simply engaging in hope (hope being a dangerous practice, in my view, because it clings to an expected outcome, and will only bring disappointment and suffering if the hoped-for thing is not realized).

    To me, the lyrics really offer an antidote, a way to respond to the conditions which can arise in life, challenging us, way beyond our control and influence. The lyrics are transcendent, an expression of good-intention, liberating and freeing, as he puts it.

    It's such a beautiful love song. Bonne fête de St-Valentin, Lover.. to the Lover in all of us!
    Flag Lazulineon February 14, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song is all about love man. Me and a girl just broke up and this song speaks to me. The singer is telling his girl or wife not to let the world come between the relationship. The world meaning all the mundane, every day, and even crazy things that happen to challenge a relationship. When he's towing the car, and hole in the roof - everyday problems that couples deal with. His possessions are causing suspicion, probably because she might be a gold digger and he suspects he could lose them to her if they divorce. And there are big problems in the world, but all she does is watch t.v., because life is so mundane...
    Flagged My Preciouson February 13, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:A deluge is hard to catch.
    Flagged Thia007on December 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about how many people don't care what's going on because it isn't affecting them. Like the people living in poverty, the people who are sold as s*x slaves and so on. I think that because the people are living in nice houses etc. they don't need to make it their problem to help. This song is a calling of understanding and help.
    Flag Insight1234on May 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was a baby when this song was in heavy rotation on the radio, so I think my subconcious somehow remembers it. I love it and can listen to it on repeat and never get sick of listening. It has such a beautiful ryhtym.

    I have a feeling it's about a couple that's dealing with people or circumstances that are trying to keep them from being together. Regardless of what it's actually about, I take away a lot of hope and optimism from this song. It conveys a message of never giving up and living life the way you want. It just meakes me feel good :)

    Flag kristaseleneon January 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:if anyone ever gets the chance to watch a crowded house dvd they will begin to understand this song a whole lot better...you will probably never understand what the boys where getting at but the main theme behind the song was them making a political song about women gaining the vote in NZ...they are pro votes and the line 'when they come to build a wall between us" is about the govenment not wanting to allow women vote... it's not a real wall...it's metaphorical (like most of neils lyrics)
    Flag Bunnicaon November 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Well, as I can see, everyone has there own feeling about this song. It might have been about something historical to some while it might just be a love song to others like me. I guess it what your heart tells you and this is what my heart says.

    At this moment, I am in love with someone and I think he is in love with me too. But of course, the world will keep us apart even if we are each other true love.

    Sometimes it is hard. Battling in my head trying to figure out if this is all right. And of course, thinks that it is over. How can he possible love me? But then, something happen and I am back in love and thinking that it is possible but knowing somewhere in my heart, it might not. But I still think of him.

    "Hey now, hey now
    Don't dream it's over
    Hey now, hey now
    When the world comes in
    They come, they come
    To build a wall between us
    We know they won't win"
    Flag FionaInLoveon November 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Its all about not losing faith in a relationship and about how huge world affairs play a role in one couples relationship.
    Its beautiful, Neil Finn is an excellent songwriter.
    Flag mrblack09on April 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Best makeout song ever! Makes you think of someone special and just want to look into their eyes and be with them forever. Classic!
    Flag lala_zeuson September 03, 2009   Link

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