Jidai (時代)(Time Goes Around)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of profound sorrow, where the narrator feels utterly overwhelmed by life's hardships. They've reached a point of emotional exhaustion, having "cried a sea" of tears, leaving them feeling "lost, deep below" and completely alone. This initial despair sets a heavy, melancholic tone, suggesting a deep personal struggle. However, the core tension arises from the contrast between this present suffering and a hopeful future. The narrator anticipates a time when these tears will dry and they can look back with a "smile." This shift hinges on the recurring motif of the wind, which "blows the way it feels" and "moves without a sound," representing an unstoppable, natural force of change. It suggests that external circumstances, like "cold rain, dark clouds," will eventually give way to "blue skies." The most striking aspect of the writing is the cyclical imagery of time and human experience. The chorus repeatedly states, "It goes round and around / Without a sound," encompassing "many joys and sorrows." This includes the transient nature of love – "Love is lost / Love pursued / Love is found" – all unfolding within this ceaseless, quiet progression. The bridge then echoes the intro's despair, reinforcing the idea that even in the depths of pain, the cycle continues, offering a subtle, almost detached perspective on suffering. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they acknowledge the crushing weight of present pain while simultaneously offering a gentle, almost passive, reassurance through the metaphor of nature's constant, silent movement. The repeated phrase "don't let trouble pull you down" becomes a mantra, a quiet plea to endure, trusting that time itself will bring about change and healing, even if the process is imperceptible.