Time
Tom Waits · Beautiful Maladies / Island Years [1993]
and the moon is in the street
the shadow boys are breaking all the laws
and you're east of East St. Louis
and the wind is making speeches
and the rain sounds like a round of applause
Napoleon is weeping in the Carnival saloon
his invisible fiance is in the mirror
the band is going home
it's raining hammers, it's raining nails
yes, it's true, there's nothing left for him down here
Chorus
And it's Time Time Time
And it's Time Time Time
And it's Time Time Time
that you love
And it's Time Time Time
And they all pretend they're orphans
and their memory's like a train
you can see it getting smaller as it pulls away
and the things you can't remmeber
tell the things you can't forget that
history puts a saint in every dream
Well she said she'd stick around
until the bandages came off
but these mamas boys just didn't know when to quit
and Matilda asks the sailors are those dreams
or are those prayers
so just close your eyes, son
and this won't hurt a bit
Chorus
Well, things are pretty lousy for a calendar girl
the boys just dive right off the cars
and splash into the street
and when she's on a roll she pulls a razor
from her boot and a thousand
pigeons fall around her feet
so put a candle in the window
and a kiss upon his lips
till the dish outside the window fills with rain
just like a stranger with the weeds in your heart
and pay the fiddler off till I come back again
Chorus
About Time
Tom Waits' "Time" from the 1993 compilation *Beautiful Maladies / Island Years* stands as a quintessential example of his gritty, jazz-infused storytelling. The track exemplifies Waits' signature blend of bluesy vocals and rhythmic percussion, capturing the weary resilience of a working-class protagonist. Recorded during a period where Waits frequently revisited his earlier themes of urban decay and personal struggle, the song reflects his deep connection to the New Orleans jazz tradition while maintaining his unique, brooding aesthetic. Released alongside tracks like "Romeo Is Bleeding," "Time" reinforces the artist's reputation for creating immersive soundscapes that feel both timeless and specific to its era. It serves as a testament to his ability to weave complex narratives into concise musical structures, avoiding melodrama in favor of raw, atmospheric tension. The recording remains a staple of his discography, illustrating how his approach to rhythm and vocal delivery continues to influence alternative and roots music decades later.

