It's an idea, someday
In my tears, my dreams
Don't you want to see her proof?
Life that comes of no harm
You and I, you and I and dominoes, the day goes by

You and I in place
Wasting time on dominoes
A day so dark, so warm
Life that comes of no harm
You and I and dominoes, time goes by

Fireworks and heat, someday
Hold a shell, a stick or play
Overheard a lark today
Losing when my mind's astray
Don't you want to know with your pretty hair
Stretch your hand, glad feel,
In an echo for your way.

It's an idea, someday

It's an idea, someday
In my tears, my dreams
Don't you want to see her proof?
Life that comes of no harm
You and I, you and I and dominoes, the day goes by



Lyrics submitted by longgoodnight

"Dominoes" as written by Syd Barrett

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Dominoes song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Listen closely and you can hear during the choruses he gradually shifts the chord progression so it takes slightly longer, elaboration on the feeling of a slow, comfortable day.

    I don't have any comment on the lyrics, just thought I'd add that little tidbit.
    Flag Eznoon March 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song sheds light on what happens to us after we "die".
    It's an idea, someday
    in my tears, my dreams
    don't you want to see her proof?
    Life that comes of no harm
    you and I, you and I and dominoes, the day goes by...

    one day this is whats gonna happen, everything in my life is pulling me towards it(my tears my dreams etc.)its cosmic. constantly growing together with everything and everyone till one day we die and come together for good. life becomes perfect again as it was before as one instead of divided as it must be for division and chaos is the purpose of life as the opposite is true for death. "you and i, you and i and dominoes, the day goes by" implies how upon ultimate ego loss we become literally stuck in place, everyone becomes equal pieces to the puzzle no one person allowed to wonder, to move, to breathe, only allowed to be awareness. while "time" slips by.
    have to agree with steve82c_my_AIM_sn on the "fireworks and heat" line as well as the "hold a shell.." line although i believe the fireworks and heat line could also be describing how painful it is to be without limitations as fireworks are usually a happy thing which also shows that however its painful its the right and only real way.
    losing when my mind's astray" seems to illustrate the illusion of time and showing how this is acting simultaneous with the here and now as if to show that he is suffering on that plane as well as this one when he lets his mind wonder.
    very sad song, but very important, the secret of the universe is tough to muster but syd captures the essence of this state beautifully in this song. cheers syd.
    Flag heytherebuddyon August 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Either that or the lark reference could be from the 1909 poem "The Lark Ascending" which is a Christian poem about spirituality. I know Syd liked the early 1900's poets (James Joyce, for example.... see "Golden Hair").
    Flag steve82c_my_AIM_snon February 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My take on this:

    "don't you want to see her proof?" = why believe in a God that won't reveal herself?
    "life that comes of no harm" = I'm a good person just biding my time

    "Fireworks and heat" = hell
    "Hold a shell, a stick, or play" = hide in a shell out of fear, beat the people who believe in hell in the head with a big stick, or just have fun while you still have a chance... before your eternal punishment

    the next lines = well, he's made his choice!

    I wonder if the lark reference is a reference to Shakespeare's sonnet 29. Syd liked to write songs about writing songs, and that is what sonnet 29 is.... a triple-entendre about religion, being a writer for a living, and writing sonnets as a primary source of joy. The "lark" from the sonnet "sings hymns outside heaven's gates" or something like that.

    The whole fun of Syd's music is even if you think I'm wrong, you won't sound like any less of a jackass with your explanation. :)
    Flag steve82c_my_AIM_snon February 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Syd's amazing. I think it's meant to be fairly simple about simple life. The song was recorded amazingly. I think the guitar part is played backwards while the drums are normal.
    Flag simentfon September 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's pretty clearly about whiling away time.
    "It's an idea," and "someday" are things one might say if they are dreaming stuff up to do, but not actually ever doing them. For if you and I remain "in place," then we could have a "life that comes of no harm."
    Flag laddcuratoron December 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love the way the drums sound in this song. Two different drum beats. One in the left speaker and one in the right speaker.
    Flag jugheadchadon June 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think its about yearning for a quieter simple life, settling down with a loved one and just wasting time together - The song is him suggesting this notion to his lover... Perhaps
    Flag teddavis29on April 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song too, though I haven't a clue what it's actually about. It sounds kind of like a wasted rainy day inside, hanging out with his girl. But there are so many lines that I don't understand. Well, it's probably meant that way. No matter, it's a great song.
    Flag sortileguson December 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yeah i agree, this is an awesome song. prolly the best from barretts 2nd cd (along with baby lem). the others are a bit too obscure for me
    Flag teriion March 09, 2006   Link

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