Eric Woolfson wrote most of the music and lyrics while Alan Parsons overviewed the production process. Prior to starting his Project, Parsons worked as an engineer with names such as the Beatles (Abbey Road, the Get Back roofttop concert) and Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon, Atom Heart Mother).
Since the 1990s Alan Parsons has been performing live shows, touring all over the world, but without Eric Woolfson.
Time
The Alan Parsons Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time, beckoning me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea
Goodbye my love
Goodbye my love,
The tide waits for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
'Til it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Goodbye my friends (goodbye my love)
Maybe for forever
Goodbye my friends (who knows when we shall meet again)
The stars wait for me
Who knows where we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
'Til it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Forevermore
Forevermore
Forevermore
The Alan Parsons Project's "Time" is a melancholic song about the fleeting nature of time and how it separates us from the people we love. The song opens with the line, "Time, flowing like a river," which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. Time is not a static entity, as the river is always changing and moving, so too is time always moving forward, and we cannot stop it or slow it down.
The lyrics express a sense of regret and longing for the people we have lost or may lose in the future. The singer asks, "Who knows when we shall meet again, If ever," expressing the uncertainty of life and the possibility that we may never see the people we love again. The repetition of the line, "But time keeps flowing like a river," emphasizes the idea that no matter what happens, time will continue on its course and carry us away from the people we care about.
The final lines of the song, "Forevermore, forevermore, forevermore," drive home the idea that once time has moved on and the people we love are gone, they are gone forever. "Time" is a poignant reminder to cherish the people in our lives and to appreciate the moments we have together before time inevitably separates us.
Line by Line Meaning
Time, flowing like a river
The passage of time is constant and continuous, much like the steady flow of a river.
Time, beckoning me
Time calls upon me to heed its passage and make the most of it, as it does not wait for anyone.
Who knows when we shall meet again
The future is uncertain, and it is impossible to predict if and when we will reunite with loved ones.
If ever
There is a possibility that we may never see each other again.
But time
Despite any uncertainty or sadness, time does not stop or slow down for anyone or anything.
Keeps flowing like a river
The recurring and unceasing passage of time is analogous to a river that continues to flow downstream.
To the sea
All things, including time, are eventually drawn to their inevitable conclusion.
Goodbye my love,
These words convey a profound sense of sadness and finality related to a loved one departing.
Maybe for forever
It is possible that the separation from the loved one may be permanent, which is a tragic thought.
The tide waits for me
The movement of the ocean's tides is a reminder that even though time may seem to stand still for us, it continues on its inevitable course.
Goodbye my friends (goodbye my love)
This line of the song expresses a similar sentiment to the previous goodbye, but this one is spoken to friends instead of a lover.
Who knows where we shall meet again
Much like the uncertainty surrounding meeting loved ones again, it is impossible to predict the next time we will see our friends.
But time (Keeps flowing like a river)
This repetition of a previous line emphasizes the inevitability of time, and how it continues to move forward despite our personal wishes or desires.
Till it's gone forever
This line speaks to the reality that all things must eventually come to an end, including time itself.
Gone forever
This is a simple and stark reminder of the finality of death, and how it takes us away from this world and everything we love.
Gone forevermore
The repetition of 'forever' adds further emphasis to the idea that death is truly the end, and that there is no going back from it.
Forevermore
This final repetition of the word 'forever' serves as a melancholy coda to the song, signaling the end of something once cherished and lost forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Parsons, Eric Woolfson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mitzyreyes
Time, flowing like a river
Time, beckoning me
Who knows when
We shall meet again, if ever
But time keeps flowing
Like a river to the sea
Goodbye my love
Maybe for forever
Goodbye my love
The tide waits for me
Who knows when
We shall meet again, if ever
But time keeps flowing
Like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
'Til it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Goodbye my friend
(Goodbye my love)
Maybe for forever
Goodbye my friend
(Who knows when
We shall meet again)
The stars wait for me
Who knows where
We shall meet again, if ever
But time keeps flowing
Like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
'Til it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forever now
Forevermore, forevermore
@hugogonzalez5633
Time, flowing like a river
Time, beckoning me
Who knows if we shall ever meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea
Goodbye my love, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my love, The tide waits for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Goodbye my friends, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my friends, stars wait for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Att El Tiguere Que Se Comió La Flor
@donk.johnson7346
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say
@simonewhite
I've been searching for this song for the last 42 years.
I heard it as a child, 11 years old in 1981, standing in a pizza joint in Queens with my mom.
I can't tell you how many times over the years I've tried to sing a part of the melody- (To the sea, to the sea'Til it's gone foreverGone forever) the only part that I remembered- to someone to see if they knew it.
When the internet came round, every once in a while I would google the bit of lyric I remembered "to the sea" or look up lists of radio hits from 1981.
Incredibly, I heard it once again only yesterday. It came on the mix at a restaurant and I had the strangest feeling come over me as I began to recognize it.
Shazam this! I yelled at my friends. They all knew it of course.
I came home and sat here listening to the song, feeling myself looking back in time at my child self, both of us transfixed. It felt mystical. Like some kind of miracle to hear it again. And so strange that the lyrics were about time, and I felt myself a part of that river of self and time, grown now but still standing, as if in both places.
I'm only sharing this because I started to read all the other comments and saw how so many people connect deeply with this song, and I want my tears to join in with theirs...
@user-bj4ew1cp1n
God speed
@mitchellkoch3065
I don’t share a lot of musical overlap with my Argentinean mother. One day I was playing this song and she recognized. She said it was amazingly popular there when she was in college.
She couldn’t remember the lyrics or what it was about, but something about the melody and the music brought back so many memories and emotions for her. Amazing song.
@rosieskocdopole9236
I can so relate! Such a beautiful song and connection to each other!❤
@MarkJusty777
Just ask me next time. I have a photographic memory for music. Unfortunately it doesn’t extend to other areas of life.
@WilberWiley
The song is evoking the Holy Spirit of God in You, that is the mystical feeling you had. It doesnt come from the musicians, the Holy Spirit of God is working thru them to touch your heart and soul. That is what is happening. Going back to your childhood is explained by your immortality. Your soul never ages or dies. Your body does, but not your soul. That is why old people dont really feel old deep down inside.
@nipulkradmsinatagras8293
As a kid, you loved the melody.
As an adult, you understood the lyrics.
@BrianM-zx9nz
Wow how smart r u
@BrianM-zx9nz
the world is your thoughts for a beautiful mind thank you
@Dakota-xi6cg
Song for my funeral..