Killing Time
Life's Monotonous March: Kris Kristofferson's Reflection on Time's Cruel Pace
Lyrics
See that long line of people who keep standing in the rain
Observing a long line of people enduring hardship and waiting in the rain.
Lookin' tired, gettin' cold
Noticing the fatigue and coldness of the people in the line.
And that signal light they're waiting for, don't ever seem to chang
The traffic light they're waiting for seems unchanging, emphasizing the monotony.
Killing time, ain't it slow.
Reflecting on the slowness of passing time, possibly with a sense of boredom or frustration.
Watch them bending with the burden of the pennies that they save
Witnessing people struggling under the weight of the money they are trying to save.
Marking time, growin' old
Indicating the passage of time and the inevitability of growing old.
Slowly marching by the numbers to the freedom of the grave
Describing a slow march towards the inevitability of death, represented by the freedom of the grave.
Killing time, ain't it slow
Reiterating the slowness of time's passage.
That's the closest thing to living that they're ever gonna know
Suggesting that the routine in their lives is the closest they get to truly living.
And their good times ain't no better than their bad
Comparing good times to bad times, implying a lack of significant difference.
'Cause they think they need a signal light to tell them they can go
Highlighting the irony of needing a signal light to grant permission for action.
Killing time, ain't it sad.
Expressing a sense of melancholy or pity regarding the slow passage of time.
Don't feel sorry for those people who keep standing in the rain
Advising against feeling sorry for those enduring difficulties in the rain.
They don't mind, they don't know
Suggesting that those in the line are content or unaware of their situation.
'Cause it never crossed their minds they got a reason to complain
Noting the lack of realization about reasons for complaint among those waiting.
Killing time, ain't it slow.
Reiterating the slowness of time's passage and its impact.
They're not haunted by the visions that they never dared to see
Highlighting the absence of haunting visions or unfulfilled dreams in their lives.
And they'll never miss the dreams they've never had
Emphasizing the lack of regret for dreams they never pursued.
They're condemned to go on living in a penitentiary
Describing a metaphorical penitentiary where they are sentenced to continue living without meaningful experiences.
For killing time, ain't it sad.
Expressing sadness at the inevitability of merely existing without true fulfillment.
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