I think I’ll let this song speak for itself…as Bernie’s lyrics so often do…
In the quiet silent seconds I turned off the light switch
And I came down to meet you in the half light the moon left
While a cluster of night jars sang some songs out of tune
A mantle of bright light shone down from a room
Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I’ll meet you half way
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I’ll meet you half way
Well I don’t know if I should have heard her as yet
But a true love like hers is a hard love to get
And I’ve walked most all the way and I ain’t heard her call
And I’m getting to thinking if she’s coming at all
But a true love like hers is a hard love to get
And I’ve walked most all the way and I ain’t heard her call
And I’m getting to thinking if she’s coming at all
There are women and women and some hold you tight
While some leave you counting the stars in the night
While some leave you counting the stars in the night
Those last two lines are some of my favorite Bernie lyrics of all time, which says a lot, because I have so many favorites! And I must say that I’ve always likened myself to the latter of the two…
I do love the harp, don’t you? And the vocals feel a bit tentative to me, almost stuttering, if that makes sense. Like the suitor isn’t quite sure if the object of his affections will meet him after all.
Sting also recorded a version of this tune for Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Distinctly different than Elton’s version, but I think he captures the poignancy as well:
Come Down in Time (Sting’s version)
Come Down In Time (Tumbleweed Connection – 1970)
The Captain and the Kim 