Meaning of "Time Rolls By" by Caitlin Canty

"Time Rolls By" captures the ache of missing someone and the way time seems to drag on when that person is not present. The comparison of time to a frozen river winding to the sea evokes a sense of inevitability and slow progression, mirroring the feeling of longing and anticipation. The imagery of the winedark night, water moon bright as chrome, and flashlight lighting a path home sets a scene of quiet contemplation and waiting. The repetition of time rolling by slowly emphasizes the passage of minutes and days without the person's presence, making each moment feel like an eternity. The reference to sitting for a hundred years with every breath counting the time adds to the sense of time standing still in the absence of the loved one. Overall, the lyrics convey a bittersweet longing for connection and the way time can feel both fleeting and endless in the absence of someone special.