How Long
Aaron Booth Lyrics
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Climbed up a hill
And found another valley
Searched the plains with no end in sight
Marched the streets
And found another crossroad
Strolled a lane of fire escapes
How long
Till I hear my name called
Till I find the one song
Rolled on a train
And passed another station
A different name on the same sign
Rolled down a road
And passed another milestone
Happy birthday, the rent’s paid on time
How long
Till I hear my name called
Till I find the one song
Worked in my town
In the company of strangers
Selling daytime and buying nights
Marched the walk
Heard the talk
So much talking
How long
Till I hear my name called
Till I find the one song
That never tires being sung
The lyrics of Aaron Booth’s “How Long” express the struggles of a person as they search for their own sense of identity and purpose in life. The song is an emotional journey of the search for meaning, a journey that is depicted through a series of metaphors. The song starts with a verse about climbing a hill only to find another valley, representing the cyclical nature of life where one proceeds from one phase to another yet ends up facing similar situations that seem to have no end in sight.
The next verse talks about rolling on a train, passing another station, with a different name on the same sign. This could signify the journey through different cities, with similar people and situations, but still struggling to find one’s identity or sense of purpose. The final verse of the song talks about working in a town, in the company of strangers, selling daylight and buying nights. This verse articulates a sense of alienation and loneliness, representing the modern struggle of being amidst a crowd yet feeling disconnected from others.
The chorus encapsulates the emotional thrust of the song. The singer asks, “How long until I hear my name called? Till I find the one song that never tires of being sung.” This chorus represents the frustration that the singer feels as they search for meaning and purpose. The song is melancholic yet hopeful, a narrative of a person searching for their own identity and a sense of place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Climbed up a hill
Started a difficult journey
And found another valley
Encountered another challenge
Searched the plains with no end in sight
Experienced a feeling of endless searching
Marched the streets
Went through life's ups and downs
And found another crossroad
Faced another decision
Strolled a lane of fire escapes
Navigated through difficult situations
How long
Wondering about the time to achieve a goal
Till I hear my name called
Achieving success and recognition
Till I find the one song
Discovering or accomplishing a personal passion
Rolled on a train
Moved ahead with a certain pace of life
And passed another station
Missed another opportunity or experience
A different name on the same sign
New situations with familiar patterns
Rolled down a road
Moved through life's journey
And passed another milestone
Achievements that lead to new goals
Happy birthday, the rent’s paid on time
Celebrating small victories and being financially responsible
Worked in my town
Being part of a community and working hard
In the company of strangers
Surrounded by unfamiliar people and situations
Selling daytime and buying nights
Exchanging one's time and energy for money
Marched the walk
Moved forward with purpose
Heard the talk
Listened to the opinions and advice of others
So much talking
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure due to others' opinions
That never tires being sung
A passion or goal that never gets boring or tiresome
Contributed by Liliana F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.