Time Has Come

Song Meaning

Jon Anderson's "Time Has Come" feels less like a song and more like a transmission. Eschewing narrative complexity, the lyrics operate on a symbolic plane, tapping into a collective yearning for transformation. The opening image of self-reflection, encountering a "Sentinel Being," immediately positions the listener within a Jungian framework. This isn't just about personal introspection; it's about confronting an archetypal figure, a golden, luminous representation of potential. The "Sentinel Being's" pronouncement – "Everybody looking / Everybody see / Everybody waiting / To be free" – is a deceptively simple assertion of universal desire. It acknowledges our shared state of anticipation, a readiness for something profound to shift. The song meaning here lies in recognizing this collective yearning. Anderson isn't preaching; he's reflecting back what he sees in the human spirit. The repeated refrain, "Time has come / Time to get ready / Time for Love," carries the weight of expectation. "Time has come" implies a culmination, a moment of ripeness. The call to "get ready" suggests preparation, both internal and external. But it's the final phrase, "Time for Love," that anchors the song's message. This isn't romantic love in the conventional sense; it's a broader, more encompassing love – a unifying force capable of dissolving boundaries and fostering connection. It's a love that transcends the individual and embraces the collective. Finally, the glimpse into "the future," described as "everything so clear / Everything so beautiful / Coming near," offers a vision of hope. It's a future that feels imminent, within reach. Anderson's lyrical simplicity becomes a strength, creating space for the listener to project their own aspirations and interpretations onto the song's canvas. "Time Has Come" isn't a detailed roadmap; it's an invitation to participate in the unfolding of a more loving and luminous future. It is a sonic meditation on hope and readiness, delivered with Anderson's signature ethereal vocal style.