Your Turn to Run
Malaria! Lyrics
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when you just started to come
there will be a time I'm your only one
so you turn to run...
there will be a time we are only one
so many times, so many times
you say again and again
time must be right, time must be right
so many times, so many times
you say again and again and again
time must be right, time must be right
so many times, so many times
the moon is full and i don't really know where I am
stones change to human
it was ten past ten when the telephone rang
so many times, so many times, so many times
I don't pay your price, I can't pay your price
I can't pay your price, I don't pay your price
so your turn to run, so your turn to run...
The lyrics of Malaria!'s song "Your Turn to Run" portray a feeling of personal powerlessness and the overwhelming sense of being trapped in a situation where one feels compelled to leave. The opening verse tells the listener that they should not run away too quickly, for there will come a time when they will need to stay and face their problems. They are warned that running away at the first sign of trouble will not solve anything, as there will come a point where they will have to confront their fears.
The chorus repeats the phrase "so many times", as if the singer has been through this scenario repeatedly, and is now imploring the listener to stand firm and to face their problems. The line "time must be right" suggests that there may be a certain point where the situation will be resolved, but until then, the listener must bear it alone.
The third verse introduces an element of confusion and disorientation, with the moon being full and the stones turning into humans, adding to the sense of unease and desperation. The final lines, "I don't pay your price, I can't pay your price, so your turn to run", imply that the singer has been trying to negotiate a way out of their predicament and now realizes that they are unable to do so, hence the listener must take the reins.
Line by Line Meaning
you don't turn to run
You don't give up and flee from a situation when you have just started to explore it.
when you just started to come
When you have just arrived and begun your journey in life.
there will be a time I'm your only one
There will come a time when you will seek my help and I will be the only one available for you.
so you turn to run...
You may feel compelled to run from adversity, even when it's necessary to push through it.
there will be a time we are only one
At some point in our lives, we will be left with no one but ourselves to rely on.
so many times, so many times
This phrase emphasizes the frequency of the events that the singer is describing.
you say again and again
You have persisted in making the same statement multiple times.
time must be right, time must be right
You insist on waiting for the perfect timing to take action.
the moon is full and i don't really know where I am
The artist is lost and feeling disoriented, especially with the added strange effect of a full moon.
stones change to human
The artist is undergoing a surreal experience, where inanimate objects seem to come to life.
it was ten past ten when the telephone rang
A simple event that serves to ground the listener in reality and illustrates how mundane details can coexist with unusual experiences.
I don't pay your price, I can't pay your price
The artist cannot or will not pay the cost of someone else's expectations or demands.
so your turn to run, so your turn to run...
Now it's your turn to face the challenge, and perhaps even run from it, as the singer has done before.
Contributed by Riley K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.