The lyrics describe the miraculous birth of a baby boy and a baby girl whose eyes are clear as centuries with silky brown hair. Both babies are described as never being lonely, lied to, or having to fear, with nothing denied to them. The song reflects on the idea of being born at the right time.

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Meaning of "Born at the Right Time" by Paul Simon


"Born at the Right Time" by Paul Simon conveys themes of serendipity, fate, and privilege. The imagery of the babies born in nature among the reeds and rushes presents them as part of a greater natural order, symbolizing their connection to the world. The babies' privilege and lack of struggle contrast with the struggles and overpopulation faced by humanity as a whole, suggesting that their births at the right time are a stroke of luck. The mention of Euro-dollars and travel touches on societal status and the contrast between the babies' innocence and the complexities of the adult world. Overall, the lyrics explore the concepts of timing, fortune, and the contrast between individual experience and global issues.