Standing by my window, breathing summer breeze
Saw a figure floating, 'neath the willow trees
Asked us if we were happy, we said we didn't know
Took us by the hands and up we go

We followed the dreamer through the purple hazy clouds
He could control our sense of time
We thought we were lost but no matter how we tried
Everyone was in peace of mind

We felt the sensations drift inside our frames
Finding complete contentment there
And all the tensions that hurt us in the past
Just seemed to vanish in thin air

He said in the cosmos is a single sonic sound
That is vibrating constantly
And if we could grip and hold on to the note
We would see our minds were free, oh they're free

We are lost above
Floating way up high
If you think you can find a way
You can surely try


Lyrics submitted by Idan

Dreamer Deceiver Lyrics as written by Glenn Tipton Alan Atkins

Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing

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Dreamer Deceiver song meanings
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  • +4
    General Comment

    dood, that is really weird that no one has posted anything on this song... this song is by far one of priests BEST songs.... i absolutely love this song, i think its about a man who is gawking and gazing around the landscape when he notices someone under a tree hence the verse "Neat the willow tree" the figure then goes on to ask the man if they are happy the man in return replies "We dont know." I think that is meaning he is not happy about his life, maybe he committed suicide there... that is up for you to decide then the figure takes him up through the clouds. I think it was an angel that took the man who committed suicide up to heaven. In other terms a man dies and is guided towards heaven by an angel and spends eternity in heaven. OVERALL: love the song!

    pinkfloyd_atreyuon December 01, 2004   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Glad to see someone (more than one actually) pegged acid in these lyrics. Hendrix used the phrase Purple Haze (across my eyes) I have it on good authority drops in the eyes were an effective way to "drop" (eye drops?) acid. I never did it though.

    Historically acid was discovered in the lab when it accidentally found its way into Dr. Hoffman's eye or was absorbed through the fingers, depending on who tells the story. Just think he had no idea. Did it again though. The second time he thought he was quite insane then calmed down.

    Not my bag though. For myself I abstained not for moral reasons, just plain fear. My nightmares and daymares were bad enough I thought, not to need chemical enhancement.

    Dancyron February 16, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is gothic in a beautiful way. Plug into the positive vibrations of the universe and you shall find peace of mind and contentment of the dreamer. Beware of the negative energy of the deceiver. The guitar solo is total bliss. The song has such a lonely feeling to it that is so emotionally bittersweet like the best notes ever played. Bittersweet like everyday life. Take the sweet with the sour and you may find a happy ending I hope, my friend.

    jon1043377on June 26, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Good thought PF_A ... Rob's voice gives me chills in many different parts of the song ... you really hear the wide range Rob has. Yes, one of Priest's best

    Freshly Bakedon January 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Definitely one of their best songs, if not one of THE best songs ever. Hard to tell what it's about, but it seems like whoever is narrating has been tricked by this dreamer deciever, and hence it leads right into the more angry deciever.

    dogboggleron April 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ok, idea just formed, this song could easily be about drugs, and how they may seem to free your mind and make you fly... until you get addicted and realise that all they do is control you.

    dogboggleron April 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Man what a great song. The willow tree is oft referred to as the (weeping) willow. The figure floating there is likely the writers own dark/depressed side yearning to be freed. However there is another possible interpretation here:libraryofmoria.com/legolaselladan/beneaththewillowtree.txt The willow tree has historically been seen as a mystic/spiritual expression of nature giving creedence to the belief that trees have souls, or are living examples of the human mind (because of their shape.).....Not an explanation, but just some food for thought about the song. Enjoy!

    SeattleWayneon June 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is surely the most enigmatic, mysterious song ever written by Judas Priest. That may not sound like it's saying much but it certainly contains very enigmatic lyrics (the song is beautiful too). It's kind of too easy to say a song is about drugs but this very much seems like it is, it mentions many strange effects that drugs may cause. The 'dreamer deceiver' could easily be a drug because he is deceiving the protagonist into believing he is dreaming. In reality he is tripping, and he is bound to not be where he thinks he is...he's been fooled.

    'No matter how we tried, everyone was in peace of mind'...perhaps an attempt to break out of this stupor that's failed? Instead he's taken to a place of false security and then it's too late, he can't escape...

    'We are lost above Floating way up high If you think you can find a way You can surely try'

    ^ He's now caught in this state thanks to being deceived by the drugs/dreamer deceiver.

    At least my interpretation as someone that doesn't like drugs so much.

    mrpieeateron September 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is a fantasy oriented song, I haven't figured out why he is deceived though. Maybe he was cheated out of his dream? It would make sense since in Epitaph...well look up Epitaph I kinda explain it's full meaning there.

    Black_Sabathon June 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think it is a song about meditation. getting enlightened.

    joaosousaon July 24, 2010   Link

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