Child In Time

I don't think this song is about the Vietnamese war, but rather war in general. The blind man is not just a person, or a country - it's mankind. Almost every nation has been in a conflict or war. And yes, some countries are more powerful than others, but in the end - what has war resolved?

"If you've been bad, Lord I bet you have And you've been hit by flying lead You'd better close your eyes and bow your head And wait for the ricochet"

Every country has sinned, some more than others. Nobody is innocent. Every action has a reaction - you shoot bullets blindly for unjustified reasons, and you are bound to have it ricochet back to you.

The lyrics alone make this song great, but what really sends it to one of the all-time best works of genius art is everything else in the song - from the captivating organ intro, to Blackmore's unreal guitar skills, to Gillain's extraordinary vocals, and the passion that brought it all together. Probably the best song ever.

Yeah you're right Flik.

I think the blind man shooting at the world is a metaphor for us detroying the world.

"If you've not been hit.....wait for the ricochet" basically means that even if you're not paying for it now, you will eventually - it will all come back to you.

lovely song. love gillian's voice especially in this song. the guy can really scream but it sounds damn good!! he can really give robert plant a run for his money!! ^_^

it's got damn good lyrics too! i never thought of the blind man as the USA but now that i think of it, it makes perfect sense. it's really cool!!

I'm sure this is an anti-war song. I've grown up listening to this song, (off the Made In Japan album) and from a young age I've always thought the "blind man shooting at the world" was a metaphor for (not necessarily or specifically the US) but our world leaders who are fucking everything up. My dad has some Deep Purple DVDs and Ian Gillan talks about this song to the audience before they start playing it. He pretty much says it's a song about world affairs; of how it meant alot back when they wrote it, and of how it still has the same meaning now in the present.

Oh, for those of you who havn't heard the Made In Japan album, you MUST check this album out. The live version of Child In Time on that album is unlike anything you'll ever hear. Gillan's vocals on Child In Time are just out of this world... Nothing tops him. He puts Robert Plant to shame. If you don't believe me than check it out.

I've seen Deep Purple and I've met Ian Gillan and Ian Paice, but never have I noticed how deep and almost religious these lyrics are until a few years ago. I believe that this song is about persuading and the devil. I think that The Lord is punishing the devil... I'm probably wrong

I think what Deep Purple means with child in time that the child growing up loses its innocence when he or she has to choose between doing good or doing bad. Bad people are blind and frustrated because they shoot at the world and other people. They make kills but everyone is at sooner or later once been bad, so everybody should wait for the ricochet or the bounce back of their bullets

It's an anti war song

beautiful song....! love it!!

Best song on the planet no doubt its amazing

The vocals in this song are so perfect, it has to be my favorite vocal performance ever. Even though the vocals only last for what, like a minute? Still it's such a beautiful song, I only wish it were longer.