I Dreamed Of My Old Lover

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I dreamed of my old lover last night
I wonder if I spoke out loud
And if by chance my husband overheard
He put my face back in the crowd

His eyes were clear and gentle then
He kissed the troubles from my brow
I long to fall to sleep again
And I wonder how he would look now

Would our kids grow sullen or grow strong?
Would their limbs bronze in solitude and sun?
I like the way it feels but then
I rarely dream of anyone

In the songs of shame and the tales of dread
Where they seal the lovers' lips with lead
And all the vines wind through their eyes
Oh but no one knows this passion now
Oh no one knows this passion now

So I keep this fancy to myself
I keep my lipstick twisted tight
I long to fall to sleep again
I dreamed of my old lover last night
I long to fall to sleep again
'Cause I dreamed of my old lover last night

I Dreamed Of My Old Lover
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byT Bone Burnett
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, Gibson J-50 acoustic guitar
Dennis Crouch - double bass
Stuart Duncan - fiddle
Jeff Taylor - accordion
Mike Compton - mandolin
Jim Lauderdale - harmony vocals
RecordedMarch 31-April 2, 2008, Sound Emporium Studio, Nashville
ReleasedJune 2, 2009
AlbumsSecret, Profane & Sugarcane, 2009

First known performance:
September 30, 1999, San Francisco, CA
Last known performance:
February 14, 2023, New York, NY
     (40 known performances)


Eye.jpg
The Delivery Man started out as a story about the impact on three women's lives of a man with a hidden past. ...

‘I Dreamed Of My Old Lover’ was to have been sung by the character ‘Geraldine’ but it is really a song for anyone waking from a disquieting night of sleep.”
elviscostello.com, March 23, 2009.

Secret, Profane & SugarcaneSecret Profane And Sugarcane album cover medium.jpg

Covers

Laura Cantrell performed live, 2011-01-23, Glasgow and 2011-01-26, London 2011 info
Steve Nieve performed live, 2021-02-28, The Immobile Tour Backstage, France 2021 Facebook - 54:18

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