Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid, almost tactile picture of a specific, quiet moment, tinged with a sense of lingering time. We're immediately immersed in the sounds of sheep on a broken path, their physical presence emphasized by the "coughing their calling and wheezing" and the "warm greased wool." This sensory detail grounds the scene, creating an immediate, almost pastoral atmosphere that feels both ancient and present. The narrative then shifts to the sounds of human activity, specifically women climbing to church, their "black shoes" and "grassy rustle of voices" adding another layer to the auditory landscape. This is juxtaposed with the persistent, gentle sound of "small waves go on whispering on the shingle." The recurring phrase "there is still time" acts as a quiet refrain, suggesting a pause, a moment of reflection before something else begins, or perhaps a recognition of the present's enduring quality. The final stanza introduces a jarring contrast with the "unbroken rumble of trucks and the hiss of brakes," a modern, industrial sound that seems to intrude upon the earlier tranquility. The narrator expresses a disorientation regarding "what season they are exploding through" or "what year," highlighting a disconnect from the external world's progression. This confusion dissolves, however, when the focus shifts to a direct, intimate interaction: "you are sitting there as you are... speaking to me." The physical act of touching "to be sure" anchors the narrator back to the present moment and the person they are with, reinforcing the idea that even amidst the passage of time and external noise, there is still this tangible, reassuring connection and, crucially, "there is still time."