[00:17.17]Got so weary of bein' nothin'
[00:35.50]Felt so dreary just doin' nothin'
[00:51.10]Didn't care ever gettin' nothin' felt so low
[01:10.57]Now my eyes on the far horizon can see a glow
[01:19.17]Announcin' things ain't what they used to be
[01:29.59]No use bein' a doubtin'
[01:38.65]Thomas No ignorin' that rosy promise
[01:59.14]Now I know there's a happy story yet to come
[02:26.87]It's the dawn of a day of glory millennium
[02:46.88]I tell you things ain't what they used to be
[00:17.17]Got so weary of bein' nothin'
[00:35.50]Felt so dreary just doin' nothin'
[00:51.10]Didn't care ever gettin' nothin' felt so low
[01:10.57]Now my eyes on the far horizon can see a glow
[01:19.17]Announcin' things ain't what they used to be
[01:29.59]No use bein' a doubtin'
[01:38.65]Thomas No ignorin' that rosy promise
[01:59.14]Now I know there's a happy story yet to come
[02:26.87]It's the dawn of a day of glory millennium
[02:46.88]I tell you things ain't what they used to be
Duke Ellington的歌曲《Things Ain't What They Used To Be》歌词中，以怀旧视角描绘了时光变迁中的失落与怀念。歌词中“Times have changed”点明了主题，表达了对过去美好时光的追忆。画面感强烈，如“Streets of yesterday”描绘了逝去的繁华街景，“Sailors with flags”映照着曾经的英勇岁月。歌词中蕴含的情感复杂，既有对逝去岁月的感伤，也有对未来不确定性的忧虑。整体营造出一种怀旧与现实的交织，引人深思。
