While touring in support of their full-length album Albatross, the band created the Acoustic EP: Seattle Sessions, which was simply a compilation of songs they created while on the road.
Their next album, 'The Silver Cord', was released on July 22, 2008. With the album being based on the realities of life and death, it signals a move into an alternative genre for TCC. Exactly 5805 copies of 'The Silver Cord' were sold in the first week. 5805 is a significant number because it is a song title on the album and it is the address of the house where the band formed and began to break out.
In 2010, 'Vagabonds' was released.
When The Time Comes
The Classic Crime Lyrics
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It's not as warm as I expect
Will I go down like a preachers son?
Or will I come back up like a world war vet?
Will I watch my brothers die?
Speak true words into their lives?
Will I hold them close and tell them why
I don't know much
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
When the time comes I put my hands on the table
They are examined for what they are
A long life line that's been cut short
By the road, the time, the battle scars
What I would give to be back home
Where the sunsets over the water
Someone save me from these preachers sons
Save me from their daughters
Still I don't know much but
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
Why do we always say we're fine
When it's obvious we lie
Why don't we ever tell the truth
What do we got to lose?
And I don't know much
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
And I don't know much
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
The Classic Crime's song "When the Time Comes" is a contemplative piece that reflects on the weight of life and the fear of the unknown. The water in the first verse symbolizes the unpredictable future and the fear that accompanies it. The singer wonders if they will sink or swim in the face of life's challenges. The reference to the preacher's son is a nod to the fact that pastors' children can often stray from the path of righteousness, reminding us that no one is immune to the unexpectedness of life. The line, "Will I come back up like a world war vet?" draws a parallel between the mental scars of battle and the emotional scars of everyday life. It highlights that despite the severity of the events, both are painful and can be equally difficult to come back from.
The second verse delves further into the topic of mortality, with the singer placing his hands on the table as if awaiting judgement. Their hands are examined and reflect the struggles they have faced throughout their life. The singer desires to return home to where the sun sets over the water, demonstrating their longing for a simpler life. They then plead to be saved from the preacher's sons and daughters, likely referencing the narrow-minded views of the pastor's family and their inability to see beyond their own beliefs.
The chorus "And I don't know much, but I know about love and how it hurts me to give up" repeats throughout the song, bringing us back to the concept of love and loss. It acknowledges that despite the fear and uncertainty of life, love is worth the risk despite the inevitable pain of losing or sacrificing something we care about. The lines "Why do we always say we're fine when it's obvious we lie?" and "Why don't we ever tell the truth? What do we got to lose?" explore the idea of vulnerability and the fear of being honest with others regarding our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
When the time comes I put my feet in the water
When faced with a challenge or obstacle, I will face it head-on with initial confidence.
It's not as warm as I expect
Reality isn't always as idealistic as I may anticipate and may not live up to my initial expectations.
Will I go down like a preachers son?
I wonder if I will face similar struggles or pitfalls as those who came before me.
Or will I come back up like a world war vet?
On the other hand, I have hope that I may emerge victorious and stronger than before like a veteran after war.
Will I watch my brothers die?
Will I witness my peers or those close to me suffer or fail?
Speak true words into their lives?
Although I may not have all the answers, I hope to offer genuine and honest guidance to those who look up to me.
Will I hold them close and tell them why
The life they led was sacrifice?
Even in the midst of hardship, I hope to provide comfort and a sense of purpose for those who may have to make difficult decisions with significant consequences.
I don't know much
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
I may not have all the answers, but I know that love can be a powerful motivator and that the fear of failure can be heartbreaking.
When the time comes I put my hands on the table
I am willing to face the consequences of my actions and be held accountable for my decisions.
They are examined for what they are
A long life line that's been cut short
By the road, the time, the battle scars
As I reflect on my life experiences, I realize that the journey can be challenging and have lasting effects, leaving visible marks or wounds.
What I would give to be back home
Where the sunsets over the water
At times, I long for the simplicity and familiarity of my past, a place where I felt at peace or comfortable.
Someone save me from these preachers sons
Save me from their daughters
I want to avoid falling into the same negative patterns or traps that others have fallen into, so I seek help or guidance from those around me.
Still I don't know much but
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
Despite my uncertainties, I remain steadfast in my understanding that love can be powerful and also cause heartache when I struggle to persevere.
Why do we always say we're fine
When it's obvious we lie
Often times, we may try to put up a facade or pretend that everything is okay even when we are hurting.
Why don't we ever tell the truth
What do we got to lose?
However, it may be more beneficial to be honest and vulnerable in order to build deeper connections and better understand ourselves.
And I don't know much
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
Once again, I reaffirm my belief in the power of love and how it can be both rewarding and painful when faced with defeat.
And I don't know much
But I know about love
And how it hurts me to give up
It hurts me to give up
My understanding and acceptance of love's complexities may be limited, but I am aware of its impact and hold onto my hope for its ability to heal and overcome obstacles.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MATTHEW MAC DONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind