Time Passages
Al Stewart Lyrics
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All round the day was going down slow
Night like a river beginning to flow
I felt the beat of my mind go
Drifting into time passages
Years go falling in the fading light
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
The years run too short and the days too fast
The things you lean on are the things that don't last
Well it's just now and then my line gets cast into these
Time passages
There's something back here that you left behind
Oh time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn
Don't know why you should feel
That there's something to learn
It's just a game that you play
Well the picture is changing
Now you're part of a crowd
They're laughing at something
And the music's loud
A girl comes towards you
You once used to know
You reach out your hand
But you're all alone, in those
Time passages
I know you're in there, you're just out of sight
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
The lyrics of Al Stewart's "Time Passages" describe a nostalgic yearning for days gone by, while acknowledging the fleeting nature of time. It begins with an image of wintertime, as the singer notes the passing of time with the falling snow and the river flowing like the passage of life. The singer then reflects on how quickly the years seem to go by, lamenting how little time we have to reflect on the past before it fades into the distance like the fading light of day. The chorus proclaims this theme of time passing relentlessly, before the final stanza takes a more introspective turn.
The last verse sees the singer starting to feel a sense of dislocation and disconnection from the world around them. They observe a crowd laughing and listening to music, but they feel isolated and alone. They see someone they once knew and attempt to reach out to them, but find themselves separated by the gulf of time that has passed between them. This ending reinforces the idea that while the past may be a comforting place to retreat to, it is ultimately just a memory that we can't truly return to.
Line by Line Meaning
It was late in December, the sky turned to snow
The time was winter and the sky started to snow
All round the day was going down slow
The day was ending gradually
Night like a river beginning to flow
The night seemed like an active river
I felt the beat of my mind go
He felt his thoughts flowing rapidly
Drifting into time passages
He was lost in thoughts of the past
Years go falling in the fading light
The years pass by with fading memories
Time passages
A reference to the inevitability of time
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Wishing to go back to happier times
Well I'm not the kind to live in the past
He's not someone who dwells on the past
The years run too short and the days too fast
The years pass quickly and the days are too short
The things you lean on are the things that don't last
The things you rely on most are often ephemeral
Well it's just now and then my line gets cast into these
Sometimes he gets sucked back into memories of the past
Time passages
A reference to the inevitability of time
There's something back here that you left behind
Something valuable from the past was left behind
Oh time passages
A reference to the inevitability of time
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Wishing to go back to happier times
Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn
Feeling a nostalgic pull back to the past
Don't know why you should feel
Unsure why he's feeling this way
That there's something to learn
That there is some lesson to be gleaned
It's just a game that you play
Life is just a game that we participate in
Well the picture is changing
Things are constantly changing in life
Now you're part of a crowd
He's now part of a group of people
They're laughing at something
The group is amused by something
And the music's loud
Loud music is part of the scene
A girl comes towards you
A girl approaches him
You once used to know
He knew her in the past
You reach out your hand
He tries to reconnect with her
But you're all alone, in those
He's alone in his memories of the past
Time passages
A reference to the inevitability of time
I know you're in there, you're just out of sight
Although the past is out of reach, it's still present in our memories
Time passages
A reference to the inevitability of time
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Wishing to go back to happier times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: AL Stewart, Peter White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
arifgraphy
It was late in December, the sky turned to snow
All round the day was going down slow
Night like a river beginning to flow
I felt the beat of my mind go
Drifting into time passages
Years go falling in the fading light
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Well I'm not the kind to live in the past
The years run too short and the days too fast
The things you lean on are the things that don't last
Well it's just now and then my line gets cast into these
Time passages
There's something back here that you left behind
Oh time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn
Don't know why you should feel
That there's something to learn
It's just a game that you play
Well the picture is changing
Now you're part of a crowd
They're laughing at something
And the music's loud
A girl comes towards you
You once used to know
You reach out your hand
But you're all alone, in those
Time passages
I know you're in there, you're just out of sight
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight
Don Heatherly
My best friend just passed away this week. We met first day of kindergarten in 1969. 53+ years of friendship. He and I loved this song as teenagers. The lyrics and music are still magical. I have thought about the past few decades together with him. Time Passages of joy and brotherhood. RIP Phil
Debra Szemplinski
I am so sorry about your loss. My sister just lost her best friend around the exact time you lost yours. 40+ yrs of friendship gone in an instant (aneurysm). Makes you think to make the most of every minute of everyday with the ones you love.
Robett Picotte
I still see a couple friends from kindergarten class of 1969.
Mary Burnell
I was born in 68
Sherry Knapp
So sorry, my best friend and I met way back in 1976 and we've been friends ever since
Celeste McLemore
Reminds me of an old friend who died by his own hands . Sorry for your loss
Julius Dargan
My wife and I just had our first child. A few days after she was born my dad took me out for a beer to celebrate and talk. As we clinked our glasses he said, "to time passages." I've known this beautiful song for years but now these lyrics have a whole new meaning for me. Cherish the time you have with your loved ones, it's fleeting.
Antonio G Diaz
friend, what you say is the true truth. Life are only unique moments.
David Dixon
Your Dad knows good music! This music is just so beautiful! And so profound! This is music me and your Dad discovered and fell in love with so many years ago! So happy you love it too! It's sooo beautiful! Bless you little big brother ha ha.... DDDave
Serena Kimlin
My friend, I could not agree more with your statement. I lost my mom to multiple strokes earlier this year. Al Stewart was one of her favourite artists. It makes you remember that time is fleeting, and must appreciate, remember, and cherish the world and people who hold dear in it. Goddess Bless you, and may your baby grow into someone amazing, just as you are.