One Hundred Years from Now
The Byrds Lyrics


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One hundred years from this day
Will the people still feel this way
Still say the things that they're sayin' right now
Everyone said I hurt you,
They said that I desert you
If I go away,
You know I'm going to get back somehow
Nobody knows what kind of trouble there is
Nobody seems to think it all might happen again

One hundred years from this time
Would anybody change their minds
And find out one thing or two about life
But people are always talking
You know they're always talking
Everybody's so wrong
That I know it's gonna work out fine

Nobody knows what kind of trouble there is
Nobody seems to think it all might happen again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Byrds' song One Hundred Years From Now speak of the uncertainty of the future and the unpredictability of human behavior. The first verse asks whether people will still hold the same beliefs and feelings in one hundred years. The singer acknowledges that he has been accused of hurting and deserting someone, but promises to return. The second verse again questions whether people will change their minds over time and learn more about life, but ultimately the singer believes that everything will work out okay in the end.


The song seems to be commenting on the fleeting nature of our experiences and the constantly shifting sands of popular opinion. The line "nobody knows what kind of trouble there is, nobody seems to think it all might happen again" suggests that even though history repeats itself, we are often too myopic to see the patterns repeating. The song is infused with a sense of melancholy, but it also contains a message of hope that everything will ultimately be okay.


Line by Line Meaning

One hundred years from this day
Will things be the same as now, one hundred years hence?


Will the people still feel this way
Will the emotions and opinions of the current generation persist in the future?


Still say the things that they're sayin' right now
Will the same phrases and discourse be continued in the distant future?


Everyone said I hurt you,
All the people around us claimed I caused you pain,


They said that I desert you
They asserted that I abandoned you in your time of need


If I go away,
Should I leave this place,


You know I'm going to get back somehow
I promise you, I'll return by any means necessary


Nobody knows what kind of trouble there is
The future is uncertain and filled with potential danger


Nobody seems to think it all might happen again
No one considers the possibility of repeating past mistakes in the future


One hundred years from this time
A century from now,


Would anybody change their minds
Would people alter their opinions or beliefs?


And find out one thing or two about life
Would they learn something new about the nature of existence?


But people are always talking
However, humans are inherently prone to expressing their ideas and thoughts,


You know they're always talking
It's an innate characteristic of our species


Everybody's so wrong
Ironically, most people are incorrect in their assumptions and opinions


That I know it's gonna work out fine
Despite the confusion and discord, I have faith in a positive outcome


Nobody knows what kind of trouble there is
The unpredictable nature of the future persists


Nobody seems to think it all might happen again
Once again, no one considers the potential for history to repeat itself




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Gram Parsons

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@bernardcimetiere6451

One hundred years from this day
Will the people still feel this way
Still say the things that they're sayin' right now
Everyone said I hurt you,
They said that I desert you
If I go away,
You know I'm going to get back somehow
Nobody knows what kind of trouble there is
Nobody seems to think it all might happen again
One hundred years from this time
Would anybody change their minds
And find out one thing or two about life
But people are always talking
You know they're always talking
Everybody's so wrong
That I know it's gonna work out fine
Nobody knows what kind of trouble there is
Nobody seems to think it all might happen again



All comments from YouTube:

@dianamilam2508

Go Graham, get it with that country honk sound. Gone too soon

@ThomasSheehan-j1r

monsters of the midway

@petemccarry2326

This is the song on that album that sticks with me.

@leonherinx129

Gram Parsons the ultimate Space Cowboy.
R.I.P. Gram Parsons.

@fanviewijsselmeer

Great song. But the whole album is great. Have original vinyl in mint condition.

I always took it as a warning about another Civil War. Seems relevant today.

@debishelton9647

We know~the midterms in 2022 are turning this side show around! Turn, Turn, Turn!

@johniorio7951

1977, prep school in connecticut...really takes me back, we all loved older bro gram, and took lessons from the byrds, and chris hillman, and charley daniels...listening to this shit in our getaway spot in the woods with a half- kegger in the back of a 61 rover.....can't beat it.

@michaelspaccarelli2342

Grest song; great band

@wml1950

Byrds BEST album !!

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