While at school, Allen featured in a number of school bands, playing drums. On one occasion Jon became the lead singer and realized that he was a natural show off. He later attended the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) on a songwriting course. Through this he learnt how to become a more self-disciplined writer. After graduating Jon moved to London, after one of his demos received a five-star review in the magazine Making Music. Management offers in London soon followed, prompting Jon to immerse himself in the live music scene and surround himself with like-minded people. Since moving to London, Allen found himself sharing the stage with artists as Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler, KT Tunstall and Jose Gonzalez.
After selling more than 20,000 downloads via his website of Going Home Jon is steadily building up a strong and supportive fan base in the UK. In 2009 he released his debut album Dead Mans Suit which featured the singles 'In Your Light', 'Dead Mans Suit', 'When The Morning Comes' and 'Down By The River'.
On May 22nd 2011, Allen released his second album 'Sweet Defeat' through Monologue Records. His first single from the album, 'Joanna' was playlisted on Radio 2.
'Sweet Defeat' was released in the US via OK! Good Records and can be purchased or streamed here:
http://www.okgoodrecords.com/blog/2012/03/13/jon-allen-sweet-defeat/
Time to Cry
Jon Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't know the night until I lost the day
I didn't know the question till I was asking myself why
Now I know it's my time to cry
I had all the heavens and the stars at my command
I held love like a rare bird helpless it in my hands
Oh but I was cruel and like a fool I let it die
Time to cry, time to cry
Now that it's all over
It's my time to cry
They say all's fair in love, who am I to disagree
I lived by the sword that now is cutting me
There's no getting round it, it's one eye for an eye
Now I know it's my time to cry
Time to cry, time to cry
Now that it's all over
It's my time to cry
Wish I could find the words to make you change your mind
Wish I could feel the warmth of your lips one more time
But you're gone forever and the river has run dry
Now I know it's my time to cry
Time to cry, time to cry
Now that it's all over
It's my time to cry
Time to cry, time to cry
Now that it's all over
It's my time to cry
In the song "Time to Cry" by Jon Allen, the lyrics convey the emotions and regrets of a person who has lost a love. The first few lines, "I didn't know what love was till I let it slip away/ I didn't know the night until I lost the day" explore the idea that sometimes it's only when we lose something that we truly realize its value. The singer didn't understand love until they lost it and the sorrow and pain of the loss makes everything else seem dark and unbearable. The line "I didn't know the question till I was asking myself why" captures the turmoil and confusion that comes with the end of a relationship.
The lyrics continue with "I had all the heavens and the stars at my command/ I held love like a rare bird helpless it in my hands/ Oh but I was cruel and like a fool I let it die." Here the singer laments how they had everything they wanted, including love, but didn't appreciate it enough. They were careless with their love and didn't realize how fragile it was until it was too late. They now understand the saying "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" all too well. The chorus repeatedly declares "It's my time to cry" revealing that the singer has accepted their fate and is ready to feel and express the pain of losing their love.
The third verse in the song acknowledges the consequences of one's actions as the singer sings "They say all's fair in love, who am I to disagree/ I lived by the sword that now is cutting me/ There's no getting round it, it's one eye for an eye." The singer admits to playing games and using tactics in love that have now come back to haunt them. The line "wish I could find the words to make you change your mind" captures the desperation and regret that comes when we lose someone we love. However, the final line "Now I know it's my time to cry" shows that even though they wish for things to be different, the singer has accepted that this is the reality of their situation and that it's time to grieve.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't know what love was till I let it slip away
I only realized the true nature of love after I lost it
I didn't know the night until I lost the day
I only realized the darkness after I lost the light
I didn't know the question till I was asking myself why
I couldn't see the question until I was asking myself why things happened
Now I know it's my time to cry
Now I know that I am left with nothing but tears to shed
I had all the heavens and the stars at my command
I had everything I ever wanted within my reach
I held love like a rare bird helpless it in my hands
I had love in my grasp, but I didn't know how to care for it
Oh but I was cruel and like a fool I let it die
I was foolish and careless, and I let the love slip away
They say all's fair in love, who am I to disagree
People say that anything goes when it comes to love, and I can't argue with that
I lived by the sword that now is cutting me
I followed the same rules I imposed on others, and now I'm suffering the consequences
There's no getting round it, it's one eye for an eye
There's no way to avoid the karmic retribution for my actions
Wish I could find the words to make you change your mind
I wish I could convince you to reconsider your decision
Wish I could feel the warmth of your lips one more time
I wish I could experience the sensation of being with you again
But you're gone forever and the river has run dry
But you're gone, and it's too late to turn back time
Now I know it's my time to cry
Now I realize that the only thing left for me is to cry
Time to cry, time to cry
There's nothing else left to do but cry
Now that it's all over
Now that the relationship has ended
It's my time to cry
It's my turn to feel the pain and sadness of the breakup
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind