"Under the Table Tennis" (2010) and "Change of Heart" (2009) are available on Tim's website (http://www.timfite.com) for free, along with several other self-released works, and a collection of Tim's artwork.
Time Comes Around
Tim Fite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the devil has a name
the devil is a white man
and the white man is to blame
when the time comes around he'll have to pay x3
The lyrics of Tim Fite's song Time Comes Around appear to express a sentiment of righteous anger and a call for justice against those who have perpetuated systemic injustices. The beginning lyrics "well the devil has a face and the devil has a name" clearly indicate that the artist is referring to someone specific. The "devil" is then identified as a "white man" who is being held accountable for the injustices he has committed. This interpretation of the lyrics could be reflecting the broader cultural discourse about institutional racism in America and the ways in which white individuals have historically benefited from these systems.
The repeated phrase, "when the time comes around he'll have to pay", perhaps indicates a sense of impending justice against this supposed "devil". The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of urgency and hope that the wrongdoing will not go unchecked. The use of strong and emotive words such as "devil" and "blame" also emphasizes the intensity of the artist's emotions towards what they perceive as an injustice; the devil represents the extreme malevolence of the wrongdoer, while "blame" implies a sense of responsibility on his part.
Overall, the lyrics of "Time Comes Around" appear to reflect a mood of frustration and anger at the ongoing injustices faced by minorities within America's political system. The artist draws attention to a specific group, white individuals, who have historically benefitted from this system, and suggests that "when the time comes around" they will be held responsible for their actions. The lyrics and their emotive language build momentum to create a call to action for the listener to demand change and push for a more just society.
Line by Line Meaning
well the devil has a face
The source of all evil exists in a physical form
and the devil has a name
This evil entity can be identified
the devil is a white man
The evil being embodies the characteristics of a Caucasian male
and the white man is to blame
Individuals with the same racial and gender identity bear the responsibility for the actions of this evil entity
when the time comes around he'll have to pay x3
When the appropriate moment arrives, retribution will be exacted upon the guilty party
Contributed by Abigail P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.