Alison Krauss (born July 23, 1971) is an American bluegrass-country singer… Read Full Bio ↴Alison Krauss (born July 23, 1971) is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. Signed to Rounder Records as a 14-year-old fiddler from Champaign, Illinois, she has become the most recognized face in contemporary bluegrass, a critically acclaimed artist who has brought modern sophistication to the genre while respecting its traditions. Songfacts reports that in 2011 Krauss recorded her first ever number one country album in her home country with Paper Airplane. She has also sold upwards of 11 million records and garnered 2 Oscar nominations as well as 26 Grammy® Awards, the most for any female artist in Grammy® history.

Also impressive is Krauss's unwavering commitment to being an independent-label artist who has succeeded far beyond the scope of many major-label artists. She has circulated freely within pop, mainstream country and roots music circles, as a solo artist and with her long-time band Union Station, creating impeccably produced records that appeal to an equally wide-ranging and inquisitive audience. Krauss has continued doing things the old-fashioned way: following her heart and whatever path the music takes her on.

So Long
Alison Krauss Lyrics

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I know I'll be lonesome
That brings about a little fear
I know I'll be sad and I'll be blue
I have given the best of me
When I forgot to say to you
What you forgot to say to me
So long, so wrong

I have tried and cared, baby, it was never enough
In your mind I never had a clue
So I'll repave the same old road I'm on
Where I forgot to say to you
What you forgot to say to me
So long, so wrong

Did we take forever in vain
Into the past
Did we think forever was really gonna last

You have tired me with your wanting ways
You can't buy yourself to be complete
I have given up caring anymore
Once you were big in a world that's small
And now you're all alone

Have we taken forever in vain

Into the past
Did we think forever was really gonna last

Overall Meaning

The song "So Long, So Wrong" by Alison Krauss talks about the end of a relationship and the feelings that come along with it. The lyrics express a sense of regret for not communicating openly and honestly, which ultimately leads to the downfall of the relationship. The singer knows that she will feel lonely, sad and blue, but it's a little scary because she doesn't know how long it will last. The words "so long, so wrong" imply that the relationship wasn't right to begin with and now it is coming to an end.

The singer reflects on the effort she put into the relationship with phrases like "I have tried and cared, baby, it was never enough" but she understands that her efforts couldn't make up for the lack of communication in the relationship. The verse "Did we take forever in vain, into the past, did we think forever was really gonna last" highlights the fact that the relationship didn't last despite thinking it would. It's a realization that can be difficult to come to terms with.

The chorus repeats "So long, so wrong," which could be interpreted two different ways. On one hand, it could imply that the relationship was wrong from the beginning and it was a mistake to be in it for so long. On the other hand, it could be a farewell message, acknowledging that the relationship is over and it's time to say goodbye.

Overall, the song presents a common theme of the emotions experienced at the end of a relationship. The regret for not communicating, the sadness and loneliness that come with a breakup, and the realization that perhaps it wasn't meant to be in the first place.

Line by Line Meaning

I know I'll be lonesome
I'm aware that I'll be lonely

That brings about a little fear
which makes me a bit scared.

I know I'll be sad and I'll be blue
I'm aware that I'll be unhappy and depressed.

I have given the best of me
I've done all I can to make this work.

When I forgot to say to you
But I neglected to tell you

What you forgot to say to me
Something that you neglected to tell me.

So long, so wrong
Our goodbye has come, and it feels like a mistake.

I have tried and cared, baby, it was never enough
I put effort into our relationship's success, but it never seemed to be sufficient for you.

In your mind I never had a clue
You thought I was oblivious to your feelings.

So I'll repave the same old road I'm on
I'll continue on the path I've been taking

Where I forgot to say to you
Where I didn't express to you