Behind The Wall of Sleep, sometimes referred to as "Behind The Wall" is the third track off of Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album.
The intro to this track is entitled "Wasp".
The song's lyrics are based on H.P. Lovecraft's short story "Beyond The Wall of Sleep".
On the North American version of the album, the song is merged with "N.I.B.".
John Peel Session
On Ozzy Osbourne's compilation album The Ozzman Cometh an live demo recording of the song was released on the limited edition first pressing of the album on the second disc (along with "Fairies Wear Boots").
This renditon is mostly the same as in the 1997 live album Reunion.
Lyrics
Visions cupped within a flower Deadly petals with strange power Faces shine a deadly smile Look upon you at your trial Chill and numbs from head to toe Icy sun with frosty glow Words that grow read to your sorrow Words that grow read no tomorrow Feel your spirit rise with the breeze Feel your body falling to its knees Sleeping wall of remorse Turns your body to a corpse Turns your body to a corpse Turns your body to a corpse Sleeping wall of remorse Turns your body to a corpse Now from darkness there springs light Wall of Sleep is cool and bright Wall of Sleep is lying broken Sun shines in you have awoken
| Black Sabbath (European edition) |
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| Black Sabbath, The Wizard, Behind the Wall of Sleep, N.I.B., Evil Woman, Sleeping Village, Warning |
| Black Sabbath (North American edition) |
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| Behind the Wall of Sleep |