Sixpence None the Richer - Don't Dream It's Over Lyrics
Lyrics
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 reach the end of the road
While you're traveling with me
Chorus:
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 TV page
Chorus
Now I'm walking again
To the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead
Barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and relief
Chorus
REPEAT UNTIL FADE:
Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
Video
Don’t Dream It’s Over Official Video Sixpence None The Richer
Meaning & Inspiration
Sixpence None the Richer offered a beautiful, quiet meditation with their official video for "Don't Dream It's Over," released on July 1, 2019, inviting us to rediscover a song familiar yet capable of revealing deeper truths. While the original composition explores themes of resilience and hope in the face of confusion or difficulty, Sixpence’s rendering, filtered through their distinct spiritual lens, resonates profoundly with the enduring promises found in Scripture. At its core, the song speaks to the human experience of encountering obstacles that threaten to extinguish our hope – feeling isolated, misunderstood, or like everything is falling apart. Yet, it carries a persistent whisper: the struggle isn't the end; don't let the dream of restoration or peace die.
Interpreting this message through the framework of faith, the dream isn't merely a personal aspiration but can be understood as the hope God places within us – the assurance of His presence, His ultimate victory, and the promise of a future free from sorrow and pain. The challenges described in the song, where "something is happening," and things "don't make sense," mirror the trials and tribulations common to life, which the Bible frequently acknowledges. James 1:2-4 encourages us to "consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." This directly echoes the song's call not to give up, but to press on even when circumstances are baffling or painful. The simple, understated delivery by Sixpence None the Richer allows this message of quiet endurance to come through with clarity.
Furthermore, the song’s refrain, urging us not to surrender to despair, aligns with numerous biblical exhortations to maintain hope. Hebrews 10:23 calls us to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." In the midst of feeling overwhelmed, the directive to "don't dream it's over" becomes a spiritual discipline – a conscious choice to fix our gaze not on the immediate chaos, but on the faithfulness of God and the certainty of His plans. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" This promise serves as the divine ground for refusing to believe that hope is extinguished, no matter how dark the present feels.
The performance itself, stripped back and poignant, enhances this interpretation, emphasizing the vulnerability inherent in holding onto hope when logic dictates otherwise. It reminds us that faith isn't about pretending difficulties don't exist, but about anchoring ourselves to a reality beyond our current sight. The song’s message, channeled through Sixpence’s gentle instrumentation and Leigh Nash’s tender vocals, becomes an anthem for spiritual perseverance, a quiet refusal to let temporary struggles define the eternal outcome. It encourages us to lean into the unseen support, much like how Psalm 46:1 reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Ultimately, Sixpence None the Richer’s take on "Don't Dream It's Over" serves as a compelling musical reminder that even when the world outside feels fractured and uncertain, the divine promise endures, urging us to keep the light of hope alive, for it is never truly over until God says so.