The lyrics describe a dream-like scene where the singer wakes up to find the sun in his hand, wonders about the whereabouts of someone, hears harbor bells, sees a woman riding a stone mare, and witnesses twelve sailor boys standing around their bed while a dancer rises from the grass.

Meaning of "I Woke Up" by Tim Buckley

The lyrics of "I Woke Up" by Tim Buckley evoke a sense of disorientation and surrealism, blurring the lines between reality and dreams. The singer's vivid descriptions of seeing the sun in his hand, hearing harbor bells ring slavery, and witnessing a woman riding a stone mare all contribute to an otherworldly atmosphere. The presence of sailor boys in a ring around the bed and a dancer rising from the grass adds layers of symbolism and mystique to the narrative. The dream-like quality of the lyrics suggests a journey through the unconscious mind, exploring themes of longing, escapism, and the fleeting nature of time. The repeated imagery of the sun, the sea, and the sky alludes to a sense of transcendence and the search for deeper meaning in the midst of confusion and uncertainty.