Time Will Tell
Gregory Alan Isakov Lyrics


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Turning in the grain again
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

Overall Meaning

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
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