This Time Around
Hanson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's getting colder in this ditch where I lie
I'm feeling older and I'm wondering why
I heard they told her it was tell and live or die
I didn't know her, but I know why she lied
I didn't know her, but I know why she died

You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around
You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around

And we won't go down

I heard them say that dreams should stay in your head
Well, I feel ashamed of the things that I've said
Put on these chains and you can live a free life
Well, I'd rather bleed just to know why I die

You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around
You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around

And we won't go down
And we won't go down
And we won't go down
And we won't go down
All I know is that fear has got to go
This time around

I've started feeling like I don't want to fight
Give in to the given and put out the light
Cannons a-blazin' shower these moonlit skies
Then I remember and I know why he died
Do you know why I die?

You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around
You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around

You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around
You can't say I didn't give it
I won't wait another minute
We're on our way this time around

And we won't go down




And we won't go down
And we won't go down

Overall Meaning

Hanson's "This Time Around" is a song about feeling trapped and overwhelmed, but ultimately finding the strength to fight back and break free. The opening lines of "It's getting colder in this ditch where I lie, I'm feeling older and I'm wondering why" set the scene for the singer's sense of being stuck and stagnant. The line "I heard they told her it was tell and live or die, I didn't know her, but I know why she lied" implies that there is a sense of coercion or pressure being applied, and the singer is aware of the circumstances. However, despite feeling trapped, the singer is determined to overcome their situation and "won't go down" without a fight.


The chorus of the song repeats "You can't say I didn't give it, I won't wait another minute, we're on our way this time around" multiple times, emphasizing the sense of determination and urgency. The singer is not willing to wait any longer and is actively working towards their goals, regardless of any obstacles in their way. The line "all I know is that fear has got to go, this time around" adds depth to the idea that the singer has been held back by anxiety or uncertainty in the past, but they are committed to overcoming it now.


In the second verse, the singer has a moment of doubt, feeling ashamed for some of the things they have said or done. However, they quickly snap out of it and return to their resolve to fight back against whatever is holding them down. The line "Cannons a-blazin' shower these moonlit skies, then I remember and I know why he died, do you know why I die?" adds an interesting layer of depth and meaning to the song, as it suggests that the singer is fighting for something or someone they believe in, even if it means risking their life.


Overall, "This Time Around" is an empowering and uplifting song about perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. It encourages listeners to break free from whatever may be holding them back and to not be afraid to fight for what they believe in.


Line by Line Meaning

It's getting colder in this ditch where I lie
The situation I am in is becoming more difficult and miserable.


I'm feeling older and I'm wondering why
I feel like I have aged significantly and I am questioning the reason behind it.


I heard they told her it was tell and live or die
I heard someone gave her the option to tell the truth and live or keep quiet and die.


I didn't know her, but I know why she lied
Although I didn't know her personally, I understand the reasons behind why she decided to lie.


I didn't know her, but I know why she died
Even though I never met her, I understand why she lost her life.


You can't say I didn't give it
No one can say that I did not put in effort.


I won't wait another minute
I refuse to waste more time waiting for something to happen.


We're on our way this time around
We are making progress and moving forward this time.


And we won't go down
We will not fail or give up.


I heard them say that dreams should stay in your head
I heard a message that implied that dreams should not be pursued and that they are better off kept as thoughts.


Well, I feel ashamed of the things that I've said
I regret the words that have come out of my mouth.


Put on these chains and you can live a free life
There is an offer to live a life of freedom, but it requires being chained up in some way.


Well, I'd rather bleed just to know why I die
I would rather experience pain and hardship if it means I can understand the reason for my eventual death.


All I know is that fear has got to go
I firmly believe that fear needs to be eliminated from my life.


I've started feeling like I don't want to fight
I am beginning to feel like giving up and not putting in the necessary effort to succeed.


Give in to the given and put out the light
I am considering giving up and surrendering to what is already predetermined, essentially losing all hope.


Cannons a-blazin' shower these moonlit skies
I am ready and willing to try anything to bring about change and success, no matter how intense or difficult it may be.


Then I remember and I know why he died
In moments of doubt, I am reminded of the reason why he died, which motivates me to keep going.


Do you know why I die?
Do you understand the reason behind why I may die fighting for what I believe in?




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ISAAC HANSON, TAYLOR HANSON, ZAC HANSON, ZACHARY WALKER HANSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@laurieeno2118

Criminally underrated band. More talent than most of the people on the pop charts today. Their loyal fan base is amazing and keep them alive. That's impressive.

@TurquoiseStar17

They wrote their own songs, even. I have more respect for musicians that can do that :)

@laurieeno2118

OfficialMarkC Yep! They are in it for the music. 

@sarahparadise9407

Right on sister

@sarahparadise9407

Seems like an eternity ago mmmbop came on the radio for the first time

@missnici1504

@Jesus Saves Because it is an eternity...23 years😁

29 More Replies...

@raymorris5203

What always impressed me about Hanson, is they wrote all their songs. Even MMMBop, which you’d swear was one of those songs written by a studio that the artists have to play, they wrote that song. This sophomore album was excellent and showed their growth and maturity. They should have been recognized more and appreciated for just how talented they were.

@michelleklein4843

I knew they always wrote how is it so hard for anyone to realize

@grachious

darn casting couch!

@mafiaboy23ca

They still are talented, I saw them on show last year in Montreal and it was awesome...Since they wanted to keep their freedom on their music they launched their own studio, 3CG, after misunderstandings with Island Def Jam and it was the best decision ever!

More Comments

More Versions