The Time Has Come

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a pivotal, perhaps final, moment, urging someone to accept it. There's a sense of inevitability, a feeling that a long period of waiting or struggle is concluding. The narrator insists, "You should be glad the time has come," framing this transition as a release, even if it's tinged with apprehension. The core tension lies between the desire for freedom and the lingering weight of past restrictions. The repeated imagery of "Standing in corners, always being hidden" and "Sitting on the grass, for us it is forbidden" highlights a history of exclusion and denied simple pleasures. This contrasts sharply with the celebratory sounds of "the choir sings, the organ plays," suggesting a public event or judgment where forgiveness is sought. The most striking element is the cyclical, almost ritualistic nature of the narrative, especially the repeated stanza about being hidden and seeking forgiveness. This refrain grounds the abstract idea of "the time has come" in a concrete, recurring experience of shame or limitation. The shift from "make believe" to "face the facts" and "Life's rehearsal, is for real" underscores the gravity of the present moment, suggesting that what was once imagined or practiced is now the actual event. Ultimately, the effectiveness comes from this blend of declarative pronouncements and evocative, restrictive imagery. The lyrics create a powerful sense of being pushed toward an unavoidable reckoning, where past constraints meet an uncertain, but apparently significant, future. The insistent repetition of the chorus amplifies the feeling of being trapped within a cycle, making the final push towards acceptance feel both urgent and deeply earned.