Song Meaning
Mike Oldfield's "The Time Has Come" unfurls like an ancient prophecy fulfilled, less a pop song and more a sonic tapestry woven with threads of myth and anticipation. The lyrics suggest a messianic figure, one patiently awaited through "a thousand years," whose arrival heralds a new era – "the sunlight shines anew." But this isn't your typical savior narrative. Oldfield subtly subverts expectations by emphasizing inherent qualities over divine right: "No child was born to be a king." The power isn't inherited; it's earned through actions, through taming the "wild wind" and connecting with the natural world. This figure embodies courage ("Someone who knows no fear"), suggesting a leader who inspires through strength of character rather than ordained authority.
The repetition of "I feel him near" creates an atmosphere of immanence, as though this transformative presence is both external and deeply personal, resonating within the listener. This feeling taps into a collective yearning for change, for a leader who embodies integrity and genuine connection. The lyrics allude to a journey completed, marked by passing through "tall gates," hinting at trials overcome and a transition into a position of power or influence. The song bypasses specific religious iconography, instead painting a broader, archetypal picture of leadership rooted in inner strength and harmony with the world.
The final verse shifts the perspective, acknowledging that "the story's just begun." This arrival isn't an end point but a catalyst, an opportunity for renewal and the pursuit of dreams: "We wake each morning with the sun/To live our dreams away." "The Time Has Come," therefore, isn't just about the arrival of a leader; it's about the responsibility that arrival places on the collective. It's a call to action, urging listeners to seize the moment and participate in shaping the future ushered in by this transformative presence. Oldfield's musicality elevates this sentiment, making "The Time Has Come" a powerful and timeless anthem of hope and empowerment.
