Hard Times
Rimbaud Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let me show you where to go

Let me show you where to go

Where the street ain't often clean

And a pocketful of dreams

Cannot buy a place to call home

Let me show you what to do

Let me show you what to do

When your back's against the wall

And you find nothing at all

That you can turn to

'Cause I know when things ain't right

And I know when no end's in sight

And I know what you have to do

In these

In these hard times

Hard times

If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'

So you just keep on tryin'

In these hard times

Well, hard times

Hard times

If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'

So you just keep on tryin'

In these hard times

Let me show you where to go

Let me show you where to go

Where the nights can be so long

And the few will see the sun

Until its light goes

Let me show you what to do

Let me show you what to do

When each silver tongue that speaks

Has to lie and talk is cheap

Like no tomorrow

'Cause I know when things ain't right

And I know when no end's in sight

And I know what you have to do

In these

In these hard times

Hard times

If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'

So you just keep on tryin'

In these hard times

Well, hard times

Hard times

If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'

So you just keep on tryin'

In these hard times

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rimbaud's song "Hard Times" are a message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. The song lends a guiding hand to those struggling through difficult times. The opening lines of the song encourage the listener to trust the songwriter and allow him to show them the way, even in a dirty, unforgiving world where dreams don't come easy. The lyrics suggest that even when it seems like there is no way out, there are still things that can be done to make the situation better, and that the key is to keep trying no matter what.

The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'," driving home the importance of persistence and the idea that the only alternative to trying is giving up. The lyrics tell the listener that hard times can be overcome, that there is always a glimmer of hope, and that they should keep trying, even when it seems like nothing is working. The song ends with a final call to action, to keep pushing forward, despite the obstacles in the way.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me show you where to go
Let me guide you to a place that you have never been.

Where the street ain't often clean
A place where the streets are dirty and unkept.

And a pocketful of dreams
Even having aspirations isn't enough in a world of inequality.

Cannot buy a place to call home
No matter how many dreams you have, they cannot provide you with a shelter called home.

Let me show you what to do
Let me advise you on how to survive in a harsh world.

When your back's against the wall
When you have reached a dead-end with no way out.

And you find nothing at all
When there is nothing that you can do to change your current situation.

That you can turn to
When you are helpless and have no one to help you.

'Cause I know when things ain't right
I can recognize when something is wrong.

And I know when no end's in sight
I can recognize when there is no hope for a better future.

And I know what you have to do
I know the necessary steps towards a better future.

In these In these hard times Hard times If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'
These times are tough and can make or break you.

So you just keep on tryin' In these hard times Well, hard times Hard times If you ain't livin' then you're dyin'
Therefore, you must continue to persist and not give up.

Let me show you where to go
Let me lead the way again.

Where the nights can be so long
A place where loneliness and darkness prevail.

And the few will see the sun
Only a few lucky ones will ever experience hope or joy.

Until its light goes
However, the hope will never last forever, it will eventually come to an end.

When each silver tongue that speaks
When everyone who speaks is lying or deceiving others.

Has to lie and talk is cheap
When trust and honesty have become scarce and meaningless.

Like no tomorrow
People are taking advantage of the current situation because they don't know what will happen next.

Contributed by Jacob O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS