Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Marching Along With Time
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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The hands of time keep rearranging
With ev'ry change I'm right on the beat
Won't let the grass grow under my feet
I'm marching along with time
I'll be marching from time to time
For I'm not gonna let the parade go by
One day I changed my horse
For a motor and now, of course
I'll be changing my car for a plane to fly
You know that time marches on and so do I
There'll be a change in music
A change in rhythm a change in dancing
But I'll be right with 'em
Watch me and you will find
That I just won't be left behind
Father Time marches on with his head up high
And so do I
In Irving Berlin’s song “Marching Along With Time,” the lyrics highlight the ever-evolving and changing nature of the world. The song starts with Berlin acknowledging that the world is always changing and that time keeps moving forward. Instead of getting left behind, he declares that he is "right on the beat" and refuses to let the grass grow under his feet.
Throughout the song, Berlin emphasizes that he will always be marching with time and never let the parade pass him by. He explains that he is willing to make changes in his life, just like he changed his horse for a motor and plans to change his car for a plane to fly. Berlin’s message is clear - change is inevitable and we must be willing to adapt and move forward with the times. The song ends with the chorus, discussing the changes in music, rhythm, and dancing, but he will always be right with them, never being left behind.
"Marching Along With Time" is a song that celebrates embracing change and the importance of adapting to the ever-changing world around us. In his lyrics, Berlin highlights the inevitability of change, but also the importance of keeping up with it.
Line by Line Meaning
This world of ours is ever changing
The world around us is constantly evolving
The hands of time keep rearranging
Time changes everything that we know and experience
With ev'ry change I'm right on the beat
I am quick to adapt to changes and not get left behind
Won't let the grass grow under my feet
I won't waste any time and will always be on the move
I'm marching along with time
I am keeping up with the progress of time
I'll be marching from time to time
I will always be moving forward with time, continuously adapting
For I'm not gonna let the parade go by
I won't miss any opportunities or moments in life
You know that time marches on and so do I
I am always moving forward with the changes that come with time
One day I changed my horse
I used to rely on one mode of transportation
For a motor and now, of course
But now I have adapted to using more modern modes of transportation
I'll be changing my car for a plane to fly
I will continue to adapt to new technology and modes of transportation
There'll be a change in music
Music will evolve and change over time
A change in rhythm a change in dancing
Rhythm and dancing will also change over time
But I'll be right with 'em
But I will keep up with the changes and adapt accordingly
Watch me and you will find
If you watch me closely, you will see
That I just won't be left behind
That I will always adapt and keep up with the changes
Father Time marches on with his head up high
Time continues to move forward confidently
And so do I
And I will continue to move forward with time
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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