"Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" is a song written by Sandy Denny, first demoed in 1966 and later recorded with Fairport Convention for their 1969 album Unhalfbricking. The Fairport version, featuring Denny’s vocals and Richard Thompson’s delicate guitar work, is widely regarded as the definitive take and has become a signature song for both Denny and the band123.
Lyrics and Meaning
The song is a meditation on the passage of time, change, and the endurance of love. Structured in three verses, Denny uses the imagery of birds departing across the evening sky as a metaphor for the inevitable changes and departures in life. The lyrics reflect a calm acceptance of time’s flow and a refusal to be troubled by it:
"Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it’s time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?"
The second verse shifts focus to a "sad, deserted shore" whose "fickle friends are leaving," but the narrator remains steadfast, expressing a sense of rootedness and loyalty—"I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving, I do not count the time"23.
The final verse is the most intimate, expressing the comfort and security found in love:
"And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it’s time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time
For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?"2
Emotional Tone and Reception
The song is often described as possessing a "hopeful sadness"—a gentle, contemplative melancholy balanced by a sense of acceptance and peace4. While some, like Rufus Wainwright, have called it "one of the saddest songs ever written," others, including Linda Thompson, find it uplifting, noting its resonance across ages and experiences1. The song’s universal themes of love, loss, and the mystery of time have made it enduringly popular and widely covered by artists such as Judy Collins, Nina Simone, and Eva Cassidy13.
Musical Arrangement
Fairport Convention’s arrangement retains a tranquil, folk-rock spirit, with Thompson’s guitar providing a shimmering backdrop to Denny’s luminous vocals125. The interplay of acoustic textures and subtle harmonies contributes to the song’s timeless, contemplative mood.
Legacy
"Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" was voted "Favourite Folk Track of All Time" by BBC Radio 2 listeners in 20071. It remains a touchstone of British folk-rock and a testament to Sandy Denny’s songwriting genius.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Songwriter | Sandy Denny |
| First Released | Fairport Convention, Unhalfbricking (1969) |
| Notable Features | Reflective lyrics, gentle folk-rock arrangement, Denny’s vocals |
| Themes | Passage of time, change, love, acceptance |
| Legacy | Signature Fairport/Denny song, widely covered, folk classic |
Summary
"Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" is a poignant reflection on change, love, and the unknowable flow of time. Through serene imagery and a quietly powerful arrangement, Fairport Convention and Sandy Denny created a folk-rock masterpiece that continues to resonate with listeners seeking comfort, beauty, and meaning in life’s fleeting moments1234.
