Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Paul Simon
Canonical path: /paul-simon/time-is-an-ocean
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Time Is An Ocean
Read Time Is An Ocean lyrics by Paul Simon on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Time Is An Ocean
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Sal
I speak to you in jesus's name
As jesus speaks through me,
The evil we do can't be blamed upon our destiny
I have walked through the valley of death-row to the shore
I have stumbled through silvery water to my savior, my salvador!
Salvador
It took me four years to learn
I was in prison not in church.
And two more to begin the book of my soul's search.
Sal & salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears
Sal
A wild boy from the streets of el barrio
An orphan from the hills of mayagüez
Salvador
And when I wrote my story
The words flew from the page
And my soul in solitary
Escaped it's iron cage.
Sal & salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears
Sal
Mama, I got your letter today
The next time that you write I'll be transferred far away.
I'm leaving greenhaven's towers of stone
Where the latin population will soon be minus one.
Salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears.
Sal
I know how hard it's been for you these many years,
You say the aguinaldo makes you dream of home
Where once we strolled the beach at el malecon
Go back don't you worry, I am your grown-up son.
Salvador
The politics of prison are a mirror of the street.
The poor endure oppression
The police control the state.
Correctional facility
That's what they call this place
But look around and you will see
The politics of race.
Sal
A forest and a prison
Where the snow and guards are white
Salvador
If you want to keep your sanity
You'll teach yourself to write.
You were a child of sixteen
With a twelve-year-old mind
You came here numb and battered
By the streets I left behind
Sal
I'll take the evil in me
And turn it into good,
Though all your institutions
Never thought I could
So now I'll turn to say goodbye
Salvador
I'll keep your image in my eye
Sal & salvador
I turn around to say goodbye
Salvador
I'll keep your image with me till the day I die
Sal & salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Time Is An Ocean"?
Paul Simon performs "Time Is An Ocean", and this lyric page sits inside the Paul Simon catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Time Is An Ocean"?
Yes. The related section below points to Peace Like a River and Wartime Prayers with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Paul Simon?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Paul Simon's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Time Is An Ocean yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.