Time Has Told Me
Elton John Lyrics


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Time has told me
You're a rare rare find
A troubled cure
For a troubled mind

And time has told me
Not to ask for more
Someday our ocean
Will find its shore

So I'll leave the ways that are making me be
What I really don't want to be
Leave the ways that are making me love
What I really don't want to love

Time has told me
You came with the dawn
A soul with no footprint
A rose with no thorn

Your tears they tell me
There's really no way
Of ending your troubles
With things you can say

And time will tell you
To stay by my side
To keep on trying
'Till there's no more to hide

So leave the ways that are making you be
What you really don't want to be
Leave the ways that are making you love
What you really don't want to love

Time has told me
You're a rare rare find
A troubled cure
For a troubled mind

And time has told me
Not to ask for more




For some day our ocean
Will find its shore

Overall Meaning

"Time Has Told Me" is a profound and meditative song by Elton John, released in 1986 on his album "Leather Jackets." The lyrics are simple yet powerful and explore themes of inner turmoil, self-reflection and personal growth. "Time Has Told Me" refers to the singer's ability to understand the complexities of life through lived experience.


The first two lines of the song set the tone for the rest of it. "Time has told me, You're a rare, rare find" implies that the singer has found someone very special, who is not easily found. The second line “a troubled cure for a troubled mind” suggests that the singer's love interest is the remedy to the troubling thoughts they have been having, and it hints at the fact that the two individuals are not perfect - they complement each other.


The chorus is a reminder to both the singer and their love interest to leave behind anything and everything that is not contributing positively to their lives. The use of the ocean as a metaphor for an end point or destination, represents the journey of life and how everything that is happening now will find its rightful place in the future.


Overall, the song is about finding someone special who helps you rediscover yourself and working through conflicts, and it is a call to let go of what holds you back.


Line by Line Meaning

Time has told me
Experience has taught me


You're a rare rare find
You are an uncommon and special discovery


A troubled cure
A solution to a problem that comes with difficulties


For a troubled mind
Designed for someone who is facing mental or emotional distress


And time has told me
Over time, I have learned


Not to ask for more
I should not desire more than what I have or what is possible


Someday our ocean
At some point in the future, our vast and unpredictable emotions or situations


Will find its shore
Will find a place of calm and stability


So I'll leave the ways that are making me be
I will abandon the behaviors and patterns that are influencing me to become


What I really don't want to be
Someone that does not align with my true desires and aspirations


Leave the ways that are making me love
I will reject the attitudes and habits that are causing me to fall for


What I really don't want to love
Things or people that are not beneficial or positive for me


You came with the dawn
You arrived early in the morning or in a new beginning


A soul with no footprint
A person who hasn't made an impact on anything or anyone yet


A rose with no thorn
Someone or something that appears lovely or perfect, without any flaws or challenges


Your tears they tell me
I can infer from your crying


There's really no way
There is no foolproof solution


Of ending your troubles
Of completely and permanently resolving your problems


With things you can say
By uttering words or making promises


And time will tell you
Eventually, you will learn


To stay by my side
To remain with me and support me


To keep on trying
To persist in putting forth effort


'Till there's no more to hide
Until nothing is concealed or kept secret


So leave the ways that are making you be
You should leave behind the habits that are influencing you to become


What you really don't want to be
Someone that you do not genuinely wish to be


Leave the ways that are making you love
Discard the behaviors that are causing you to fall for


What you really don't want to love
Things or people that you do not truly desire or treasure


Time has told me
Experience has shown me


You're a rare rare find
You are a unique and uncommon discovery


A troubled cure
A remedy that comes with difficulties


For a troubled mind
Intended for someone who is facing mental or emotional distress


And time has told me
Over time, I have learned


Not to ask for more
I should not desire more than what I have or what is possible


For some day our ocean
At some point in the future, our vast and unpredictable emotions or situations


Will find its shore
Will find a place of calm and stability




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Nick Drake

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Peter Harthen


on Sacrifice

not like todays crap

Peter Harthen


on Sacrifice

Even at 56 years old, this music still sounds so good to me, how music should sound.....

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