Time
the Machine in the Garden Lyrics


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Something that never happened
If it hadn't begun
This terrible feeling
Without any meaning
A daylight so grim
And the conscious within
The future's lost in the distance
Never knowing their names
And inside my mind




The passing of time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Time" by Machine in the Garden evoke a sense of existential dread and loneliness, as the singer reflects on the passage of time and the futility of trying to hold onto the past. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, as they describe "something that never happened" and the "terrible feeling" that accompanies it. This could be interpreted as a reference to missed opportunities or regrets, and the sense that life is slipping away without any real purpose or meaning. The next few lines reinforce this sense of melancholy, as the singer describes a "daylight so grim" and a feeling of despair that seems to take hold of the conscious mind.


As the song continues, the lyrics take on a more introspective tone, as the singer reflects on the passing of time and the sense of loss that accompanies it. The future is "lost in the distance," and the people who will inhabit that future are "never knowing their names." This sense of detachment from the world, and the realization that we are all just passing through, is a recurring theme throughout the song. The final lines of the song, "And inside my mind/The passing of time," bring the focus back to the individual experience of time, and the sense that we are all caught in the same inexorable process.


Overall, "Time" by Machine in the Garden is a haunting, introspective song that speaks to the universal experience of the passage of time and the sense of loss that comes with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Something that never happened
The feeling of an event that never occurred


If it hadn't begun
If it never started


This terrible feeling
A feeling of great discomfort and distress


Without any meaning
Lacking purpose or significance


A daylight so grim
A gloomy, dark day


And the conscious within
And one's own thoughts and awareness


The future's lost in the distance
The future is uncertain and unknown


Never knowing their names
Not being familiar with the identities of those involved


And inside my mind
And within one's own thoughts and emotions


The passing of time
The inevitability of time moving forward




Contributed by Michael F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Ben - Moderator

Thanks Summer and I apologise for these errors. Due to inaccuracies such as these we have temporarily removed the "Interesting Facts" section from all songs until they are 100% fact checked.

Summer

"Time" was originally released on the band's 1998 album "One Winter's Night," and later re-released on their 2002 album "Asphodel."
- Machine in the Garden was formed in the mid-1990s by Roger Fracé and Summer Bowman, who have been the core members of the band ever since.
- The band's name comes from a poem by William Blake, which describes a "satanic mill" that functions like a "machine in the garden," disrupting the natural world.
- Machine in the Garden's music is often categorized as "ambient" or "darkwave," and is known for its lush, atmospheric soundscapes.
- The lyrics of "Time" reflect a recurring theme in Machine in the Garden's music, which explores issues of mortality, memory, and the passage of time.
- The band is known for its elaborate live performances, which often feature elaborate costumes, stage sets, and projections.
- Machine in the Garden has released nine albums to date, including "One Winter's Night," "Asphodel," and "Shadow Puppets."
- The band has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including Black Tape for a Blue Girl and Faith and the Muse.
- In addition to her role in Machine in the Garden, Bowman has also worked as a backing vocalist for other bands, including the legendary gothic rock band The Mission.

"Time" was originally from Asphodel only. It was never on "One Winter's Night..." Roger formed the band as a solo project, Summer came later in 1997. The band's name is not from a poem by William Blake. The band has never had an elaborate live performance with costumes and sets. The band has never collaborated with Black Tape or Faith and the Muse. Bowman never did vocals for The Mission.

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