The Imperials - Any Good Time At All Lyrics
Lyrics
One day my highest hope
Had reached an all-time low
I looked to fly away
But found no way to go
Till I met a man
Said, "Won't you come with Me
I'm the maker of
The Gospel Time Machine!"
He said "Any good time at all"
He said "Any good time at all"
I've got everything you need
You just come to Me
Any time at all
Well, I called His name
Just like He told me to
"I've got this problem Lord
When can I talk with you?"
He said "Any good time at all"
He said "Any good time at all"
Speak as your heart draws near
I will always hear
Any time at all
"Death likes to run in the night
But I will give you flight
And each path that you take
I will guide it"
"Any time that you want Me I'll be there
Any time at all
(Yes I will, I'll be there)
Any time that you need Me I'll be there
Any time that you call"
He said "Any good time at all"
He said "Any good time at all"
I've got everything you need
You just come to Me
Any time at all
"Pride only hears what it can
Love can hear it all
If you ask for My hand
I will give it"
"Any time that you want Me I'll be there
Any time at all
(I'll be there, I'll be there)
Any time that you need Me I'll be there
Any time that you call
(Just call for me)"
Any time that you want Me I'll be there
Any time at all
(I've got everything you need)
Any time that you need Me I'll be there
Any time that you call
(I care for you)"
Any time that you call
I will be there
Any time that you need
I will be there
Any time that you call
I will be there
Any time that you need
I will be there...
Video
Any Good Time At All - The Imperials (Priority)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released as part of The Imperials' 1981 album, *Priority*, "Any Good Time At All" is a powerful testament to unwavering divine availability, a message that resonates deeply within the realm of Christian music. The song paints a vivid picture of someone feeling lost and hopeless, at their "highest hope had reached an all-time low," a relatable human experience that often precedes a turning point. It's in this state of despair that the narrator encounters a pivotal figure, the "maker of the Gospel Time Machine," who offers an extraordinary promise: access to God's presence and help at any moment. This encounter isn't presented as a complex theological treatise, but as a direct, personal invitation, echoing the simplicity and grace found in God's unfettered love.
The core of the song lies in the repeated, comforting assurance that God is accessible "any time at all." This isn't a conditional offer, but a blanket declaration of His constant readiness to engage with us. When the narrator voices their struggles, seeking guidance, the response is always the same: "Any good time at all." This refrain powerfully reflects the scriptural truth found in passages like Hebrews 4:16, which encourages us to "approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The song emphasizes that God doesn't operate on our schedules or according to our convenience; rather, He is perpetually available, a stark contrast to the often-flawed and limited availability of human relationships.
The lyrics further elaborate on this divine accessibility with imagery of protection and guidance. The promise that God will give "flight" when "death likes to run in the night" is a profound metaphor for spiritual deliverance and overcoming life's greatest fears, a concept deeply rooted in Christian belief, particularly in the resurrection power of Christ, as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15. The assurance that "each path that you take, I will guide it" directly aligns with Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." The song moves beyond simply stating God is there, but affirms His active participation in our lives, offering constant direction and support. The distinction drawn between pride, which only hears what it wants, and love, which "can hear it all," serves as a profound insight into the nature of true spiritual receptiveness. It suggests that a humble heart, open to God's voice, will find Him readily available, a sentiment echoed in James 4:8: "Come near to God and he will come near to you." The offering of God's hand, when asked for, is a powerful portrayal of His desire to empower and uplift, reflecting the promise in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Ultimately, "Any Good Time At All" is more than just a song; it's a lyrical sermon on the boundless grace and unwavering presence of God, a timeless reminder that no matter the hour or the circumstance, His love and help are always within reach.