The Waters Of My Time
Richard Hawley Lyrics


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Don't look for me in fields of clover
I won't be there I won't get older
I must wait here holed up in my time

Don't search for me in fields of green
I'm not there I won't be seen
I'm wading through the waters of my time
I'm wading through the waters of my time

Don't look for me in lands of gold
I won't be there I won't get old
I'll hover like a frozen bird in time

Don't reach for me the stars are cold
My race is run my stories told
I'm wading through the waters of my time

Don't search for me in lands of gold
I won't be there I can't get old
Don't hope for me the stars have died
I've slipped into the past
Cause I'm wading through the waters of my time
Yes I'm wading through the waters of my time

Don't search for me in lands of gold
I won't be there I can't get old
Don't hope for me the stars have died
I've slipped into the past
Cause I'm wading through the waters of my time
Yes I'm wading through the waters of my time




Mmm mmm
Yes I'm wading through the waters of my time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Waters of My Time suggest a theme of inevitability and acceptance of aging, the passing of time, and ultimately our own mortality. The singer still feels a desire to move forward, to reach for something outside of themselves, but they reflect on the fact that those things are gone, and they must learn to exist in this present moment. The repeated refrain of "wading through the waters of my time" implies that the singer feels weighed down by the weight of memories and the accumulation of the years, and that the idea of "moving on" becomes more and more difficult as time passes.


The idea of "searching" or "hoping" is futile for the singer, as everything that they could have hoped for or searched for has already passed, leaving them to simply exist in the present. There is a sense of inevitability in the way the lyrics are worded, as if the singer has already accepted their fate and is only reflecting on what has already come to pass. The use of natural imagery, such as fields of clover and lands of gold, adds to the nostalgic and wistful tone of the song, suggesting a longing for a simpler time that has already passed.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't look for me in fields of clover
Do not try to find me in places of luck or fortune


I won't be there I won't get older
I will not be present there, nor will I age or mature


I must wait here holed up in my time
I am required to wait in this moment, as if trapped in time


Don't search for me in fields of green
Do not seek me in places of nature or wealth


I'm not there I won't be seen
I am not present there, and I won't appear visible


I'm wading through the waters of my time
I am navigating through my own timeline, learning from my experiences


Don't look for me in lands of gold
Do not attempt to find me in places of prosperity or luxury


I won't be there I won't get old
I am no longer present there, nor will I age


I'll hover like a frozen bird in time
I will remain still, like a bird caught in time


Don't reach for me the stars are cold
Do not try to connect with me, as the stars are apathetic and distant


My race is run my stories told
My journey is complete and my stories have been shared


Don't hope for me the stars have died
Do not hold expectations for me, as the stars have lost their luster and faded away


I've slipped into the past
I have entered a previous point in time


Cause I'm wading through the waters of my time
Because I am still traversing through the experiences of my own history


Yes I'm wading through the waters of my time
Indeed, I am still exploring my own timeline


Mmm mmm
Interjection acknowledging that there is nothing more to be explained


Yes I'm wading through the waters of my time
Once again, stating that I am still in the process of exploring my own experiences




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Richard Willis Hawley

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