After college, encouraged by Pete Seeger while on a trip to New Mexico, James began to write songs that drew upon the culture of the Southwest he had experienced. These early songs eventually became The Road to Torreón, a saga of life and death in the Chicano villages of northern New Mexico. Released in a boxed edition by Bear Family Records in 1992, it is a powerful collaboration of photography and music, with a photographic essay contributed by James’ lifelong friend, photographer Cavalliere Ketchum.
In 1968 James moved from New Mexico to Nashville, Tennessee to try to get his songs released. Over the years Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, Gene Clark, Alan Jackson, Hazel Dickens, and most recently Moby, and others, have recorded his songs. Joining country music and the blues, B. B. King, played his first Nashville session with James in 1976, as his lead guitar player.
James’ recording career now spans thirty plus years. The late John Hammond, Sr. at Columbia Records in New York was his first mentor, and championed his writing in the early 1970s, as he had the careers of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen. When Hammond could not get James’s more country-flavored sound signed at Columbia in New York, he sent him to Jerry Wexler, who was starting a new Nashville operation with his Atlantic label at the time. Wexler signed James to his first recording contract at Atlantic Records at the same time he signed Willie Nelson. Atlantic’s Nashville operation, however, did not do well at the time and Atlantic closed its Nashville office.
James then moved to Capitol Records where he released four now legendary albums during the mid-1970s and was one of the originators and godfathers of Americana music: Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money, But We Sure Got a Lot of Love (1975); Tryin’ Like The Devil (1976); Blackjack Choir (1977) and Ain’t It Somthin’ (1977). Rolling Stone, and other music publications, have declared these albums American classics for their time.
During the 1980s and 1990s, James recorded four albums, which were released in Europe by the German Bear Family Records, American Originals (1985); and Love Songs and The Blues (1989); The Road To Torreón (1992) and James Talley: Live (1994).
In 1999 James started his own artist’s label, Cimarron Records, and released Woody Guthrie and Songs of My Oklahoma Home (2000), his only album that covered someone else's songs; Nashville City Blues, (2000), and was named Amazon.com’s Folk Artist of the Year 2000. In 2002 Touchstones was released – a fresh retrospective of the songs from his early career. It was recorded in Texas with the help of James’ old friends, Joe Ely and Ponty Bone. In 2004 Journey was released, a live, in-concert recording made on his recent tour of Italy. It displays some of his classics as well as five new compositions. In February 2006, James’ classic first album, Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money, But We Sure Got a Lot of Love was reissued in a special 30th Anniversary Edition.
In July 2008 James simultaneously issued two CDs in digital download, Journey: The Second Voyage, the remaining songs for the original live Journey recordings, supplemented with five new songs, and Heartsong, an album of fifteen new songs and a re-recording of his song "She's The One," which was covered as "Evening Rain" by Moby.
In These Times
James Talley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let the cruelty of this world take away your love.
Don't let the evil in this world keep you from your dreams.
Don't let the madness and the lies take away what's right.
Don't let the wrongs of the few take away what's true
In these times, these times of darkness
In these times, these times of darkness.
If I could give you hope, you know I surely would.
If I could give you courage, yes, you know I would.
If I could bring the stars to you, so your heart would sing in tune,
If I could do these things for you, oh, you know I would
In these times, these times of darkness . . .
In these times, these times of darkness.
In these times, with crazy all around us,
In these times, when our reality confounds us,
In these times, when compassion dies around us,
Give us strength . . . don't let us fail . . .
In these times.
Oh, if I could give you love, you know I surely would,
Take the sadness from your heart, yes, you know I would.
If I could help you to be brave, and make this world a better place,
If I could do these things for you . . . oh, you know I would
In these times, these times of darkness . . .
In these times, these times of darkness.
In these times, when all our dreams are shaken,
In these times, when reason is forsaken,
In these times, in need of honesty and honor,
Give us strength . . . don't let us fail . . .
In these times.
SOLO on a verse:
In these times, we're running out of water,
In these times, when our children are being
slaughtered,
In these times when no one can be bothered . . .
Give us strength . . . don't let us fail . . .
In these times.
Give us strength . . . Don't let us fail
In these times.
By James Talley
© Hardhit Songs 2021
All Rights Reserved
James Talley's song "In These Times" powerfully grapples with the struggles and adversities faced in a world often characterized by despair, cruelty, and darkness. The opening verses express a strong sense of urgency and a plea for resilience amidst this chaos. The repeated exhortation not to let the "cruelty," "evil," and "madness" of the world extinguish love, dreams, or the pursuit of what is right underscores a central theme: love and hope should remain unyielding, regardless of external turmoil. The repetition of "in these times" serves as both a somber acknowledgment of the current state of affairs and a rallying call to persevere, suggesting a deep-rooted belief that even when surrounded by negativity, one can choose to hold onto positivity and truth.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses a heartfelt desire to offer hope and courage to another, highlighting the profound connection between people during times of hardship. This longing to "bring the stars" to someone symbolizes the desire to illuminate their life with joy and promise while also reflecting the unattainable nature of such wishes in a flawed world. The emphasis on wanting to support and uplift another person suggests that even though one may feel powerless in the grander scheme of things, the act of caring and empathizing is itself powerful. This tender sentiment evokes the idea that human connections can provide solace and strength in challenging times, underlining the importance of community and love as a source of resilience.
In the refrain "give us strength...don't let us fail," Talley calls for collective fortitude, signaling the necessity for both individual grit and communal support in navigating the trials depicted. The imagery of shaking dreams and forsaken reason resonates deeply with listeners who may share similar feelings of uncertainty, especially in a world where compassion often seems absent. This plea for strength is not only a call to action but also an acknowledgment of the shared burdens many bear in contemporary society. It resonates with those who feel overwhelmed by the chaos surrounding them, presenting a raw reflection of shared human experience in the face of adversity.
The final verses intensify the song's poignant commentary on societal breakdowns, addressing critical issues like environmental degradation and violence against children. The starkness of these realities paints a vivid picture of a world in crisis, further amplifying the urgency of the song's message. Instead of providing easy solutions or romanticizing resilience, Talley confronts harsh truths about the present condition of humanity while still presenting love and hope as essential anchors. By reiterating the call for strength not to fail, he fuses a sense of vulnerability with a determined spirit, ultimately empowering listeners to confront darkness with love and courage, reinforcing that even in the bleakest moments, the human spirit can endure and perhaps even flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't let the cruelty of this world take away your love.
Resist allowing the harshness and unkindness of the world to erode the warmth and compassion in your heart.
Don't let the evil in this world keep you from your dreams.
Do not allow the malevolence and wickedness surrounding you to hinder your aspirations and ambitions.
Don't let the madness and the lies take away what's right.
Prevent the chaos and deceit pervasive in society from diminishing your understanding of truth and justice.
Don't let the wrongs of the few take away what's true.
Ensure that the actions of a small, misguided group do not overshadow or invalidate the genuine goodness found in the broader world.
In these times, these times of darkness.
Acknowledging the current period marked by despair, uncertainty, and negativity.
If I could give you hope, you know I surely would.
If it were within my power, I would instill a sense of optimism and possibility in you.
If I could give you courage, yes, you know I would.
If I could, I would provide you with the bravery needed to face challenges bravely.
If I could bring the stars to you, so your heart would sing in tune.
I wish I could offer you beauty and inspiration, elevating your spirit and aligning it with joy.
If I could do these things for you, oh, you know I would.
You understand that my desire to help you is genuine, and I would act if I could.
In these times, these times of darkness.
Reiterating the awareness of the prevailing challenges and gloom we face.
In these times, with crazy all around us.
Recognizing the chaos and irrationality that permeate our surroundings.
In these times, when our reality confounds us.
Observing how the complexities and absurdities of today’s world leave us puzzled and bewildered.
In these times, when compassion dies around us.
Acknowledging the troubling trend where kindness and empathy seem to diminish in society.
Give us strength... don't let us fail...
We plead for resilience and support in order to endure without succumbing to despair.
Oh, if I could give you love, you know I surely would.
If I were able, I would bestow upon you the deep affection that can ease your pain.
Take the sadness from your heart, yes, you know I would.
I wish I could alleviate the grief that burdens you and restore joy to your life.
If I could help you to be brave, and make this world a better place.
My aim is to empower you to cultivate courage and contribute positively to society.
If I could do these things for you... oh, you know I would.
You understand the depth of my commitment to support you in significant ways if possible.
In these times, these times of darkness.
Re-emphasizing the ongoing struggle against pervasive despair.
In these times, when all our dreams are shaken.
Recognizing that our hopes and aspirations are in jeopardy due to ongoing turmoil.
In these times, when reason is forsaken.
Highlighting the troubling reality where logical thought and rationality seem to be abandoned.
In these times, in need of honesty and honor.
Acknowledging our greater need for integrity and truthfulness amidst current challenges.
Give us strength... don't let us fail...
Once more, we call for strength and support to prevent us from giving in to despair.
In these times.
A final reminder of the contemporary challenges we are collectively facing.
In these times, we're running out of water.
Pointing to the urgent environmental crises, illustrating how our resources are depleting.
In these times, when our children are being slaughtered.
Sadly highlighting the violence and trauma inflicted on the youth, indicating a grave societal issue.
In these times when no one can be bothered...
Observing a widespread apathy where people are indifferent to urgent problems around them.
Give us strength... don't let us fail...
A plea for resilience and support to navigate these desperate times without faltering.
In these times.
Reiterating the emphasis on our current struggles and the need for solidarity.
Give us strength... Don't let us fail.
A heartfelt request for inner strength and communal support to avoid succumbing to hopelessness.
In these times.
Concluding with a reminder of the challenges we strive to overcome in the present moment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Talley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aldo Peru'
on Dixie Blue
I get never tired to re-listen dixie blue and hear James's unique voice again