Isakov has been described by Boulder Weekly, "Strong, subtle, a lyrical genius" and has been compared to his influences; Bruce Springsteen, Kelly Joe Phelps, Iron & Wine and Gillian Welch. Isakov's humble presence and his overwhelming voice and guitar style has been treasured by an ever-growing and captivated fan base.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Isakov immigrated to the States with his family and grew up in the Philadelphia area. He started touring at the age of 16 with his first band. In 1999 he sought out his solo acoustic roots and moved to Colorado where he now resides.
Isakov has been taking on the folk music scene with his 2003 release "Rust Colored Stones" LP and his 2005 release "Songs For October". Isakov's song-craft lends to the deepest lyrical masterpieces, and his live performance has been known to quiet and shake the biggest rooms.
Isakov has shared the stage with numerous touring artists such as Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alexi Murdoch, and Fiona Apple. He has performed throughout the United States, playing numerous music festivals such as Falcon Ridge Folk Fest, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest and Southpark Music Festival. Isakov has toured solo and with his band "The Freight".
In 2007, Gregory was named "Best Male Singer-Songwriter" by Westword Magazine.
Subsequent albums have included That Sea, The Gambler (2007), This Empty Northern Hemisphere (2009), The Weatherman (2013), Evening Machines (2018).
Time Will Tell
Gregory Alan Isakov Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bells begin to chime
Time, she says,
"There's no turning back,
Keep your eyes on the tracks"
Through the fields, somewhere there's blue
Oh, time will tell, she'll see us through
Howling out,
The windy hills
And all the time we took
You should know just how it steals
Keep your hand on the wheel
And through it all, somewhere we knew
Well, time will tell, she'll see us through
And all fire and flames took all we trust
We're kicking up dust
Stations fade, just like they do
Oh, time will tell, we always knew
Oh, time will tell, we always knew
The song Time Will Tell by Gregory Alan Isakov is a reflection on time, its power and its inevitable passage. The opening lyrics “Turning in the grain again, The bells begin to chime” evoke an image of rural landscape, where the cycles of nature are intertwined with the sound of the church bells signaling the passing of time. The singer of the song is advised by Time itself: “There's no turning back, Keep your eyes on the tracks” - a message that emphasizes the importance of moving forward and focusing on what is ahead, rather than dwelling on the past. Time is also portrayed as a supportive force: “Time will tell, she'll see us through”, which suggests that even though time may be harsh at times, it ultimately holds the key to our survival and endurance.
The second verse continues the theme of time's power and its effects on the human experience: “And all the time we took, You should know just how it steals”. In this instance, time is presented as a thief, stealing our experiences and memories. The imagery of “Howling out, The windy hills” adds to this sense of melancholy, suggesting a feeling of isolation and loneliness. However, despite this, the singer is urged to persevere: “Keep your hand on the wheel, And through it all, somewhere we knew”. The final verse brings together the themes of time's destructive power and its inevitability: “And all fire and flames took all we trust, We're kicking up dust; Stations fade, just like they do” - a reminder that everything in life is transient and ultimately fades away. However, the chorus returns as a reassuring refrain: “Oh, time will tell, we always knew” - a message that suggests that even in the face of uncertainty and loss, time will ultimately offer us a sense of clarity and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Turning in the grain again
Returning to a routine or a familiar pattern once more
The bells begin to chime
An indication of the passing of time and the start of a new day
Time, she says,
Time represents a powerful force that speaks to us in a feminine, nurturing way
"There's no turning back,
Once an action is taken, it cannot be undone
Keep your eyes on the tracks"
Stay focused and stay on course with your goals
Through the fields, somewhere there's blue
Amidst the challenges of life, there is still hope and beauty to be found
Oh, time will tell, she'll see us through
The passing of time has a way of making sense of things and helping us get through difficult periods
Howling out,
A strong and forceful expression
The windy hills
A place where the elements are strong and unrestrained
And all the time we took
The effort and energy invested over a period of time
You should know just how it steals
Time has a way of taking things from us without us realizing it
Keep your hand on the wheel
Stay in control, and don't let time take everything away from you
And through it all, somewhere we knew
Even amidst the struggles, we had a sense of knowing that things would work out in the end
Well, time will tell, she'll see us through
The passing of time will provide clarity and resolution
And all fire and flames took all we trust
A reference to a time when everything was lost and faith was tested
We're kicking up dust
Trying to move forward despite the confusion and turmoil
Stations fade, just like they do
References to life's journey and how things come and go
Oh, time will tell, we always knew
Our intuition and wisdom already told us that the passage of time would help us in the end
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Modelle
A Kansas wheat farmer wonders and worries about the price he will get for his bushels as they pour into some commercial silo.