Lyric discussion by marquicerise 

Cover art for These Things Take Time lyrics by Smiths, The

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord..." -Battle Hymn of the American Republic, Julia Howe

"Our eyes have seen the glory ..." -Eamon de Valera, Irish Prime Minister

The line "the hills are alive with celibate cries" could refer to the beginning of the film "The Sound of Music", where there are nuns singing on a hilltop.