Comes a time when you're driftin'
Comes a time when you settle down
Comes a light, feelings liftin'
Lift that baby right up off the ground

Oh, this old world keeps spinnin' 'round
It's a wonder, tall trees ain't layin' down
There comes a time

You and I, we were captured
We took our souls and we flew away
We were right, we were giving
That's how we kept what we gave away

Oh, this old world keeps spinnin' 'round
It's a wonder, tall trees ain't layin' down
There comes a time

Oh, this old world keeps spinnin' 'round
It's a wonder, tall trees ain't layin' down
There comes a time
There comes a time

Comes a time
Comes a time
Comes a time
Comes a time
Comes a time
Comes a time
Comes a time


Lyrics submitted by hardcor_toonz

Comes A Time Lyrics as written by Neil Young

Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Comes a Time song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    I can't believe no one has commented on this beautiful classic. Neil Young all the way.

    I think this song is about how people move on and change but still stay true to their friends, which is extremelly important.

    This song means a lot to me. We used to always play it on the last night of summer camp at the final camp fire. I laso listened to it when I said bye to my university friends who I wasn't going to see for a few months, but will see again and keep our friendships going

    River Wolfon April 09, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.