Gloria Gaither (b. March 4, 1942) is a songwriter for gospel music, along with her husband, Bill Gaither. She also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.
How Long Has It Been
Bill & Gloria Gaither Lyrics
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I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
So my dear I swore,
"Never, never more!"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my!
I could cry salty tears,
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now,
How long has this been going on?
There were chills up my spine,
And some thrills I can't define.
Listen, sweet, I repeat,
How long has this been going on?
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
Kiss me once, then once more.
What a dunce I was before.
What a break!
For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
That divine rendezvous,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Let me dream that it's true!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
What a break!
For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this, been going on?
The lyrics to Bill & Gloria Gaither's song "How Long Has It Been" tell the story of a person who, as a child, didn't enjoy being kissed by their family members. They swore off kissing altogether, only to find later in life that they had been missing out on something wonderful. The singer expresses regret for all the time they wasted avoiding kisses and finally recognizes the joy and intimacy that can come from them.
The song is a reflection on the preciousness of physical intimacy and the way that our perspective on it can change over time. The singer initially saw kissing as a burden, but as an adult, they have come to see it as something to savor and cherish. The lyrics also suggest that love and intimacy are worth pursuing and that it's never too late to appreciate them.
Overall, "How Long Has It Been" is a heartfelt and introspective song about the importance of opening ourselves up to love and connection, even in the face of past pain or disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
When I was a child and wearing fashionable clothes, I received affection from my relatives.
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
My family members showed their love by giving me kisses.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, these experiences were not always pleasant and caused me distress.
So my dear I swore, "Never, never more!"
As a result, I made a vow to myself that I would never allow anyone to kiss me again.
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I even wrote down this rule to remind myself not to break it.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
However, as I grew older, I realized that I missed out on a lot of love and affection by imposing this rule on myself.
I could cry salty tears, Where have I been all these years?
I feel like I wasted a lot of time and missed out on so many opportunities to feel loved.
Little wow, tell me now, How long has this been going on?
I'm amazed by this newfound realization and wonder how long it's been since I've been missing out on affection.
There were chills up my spine, And some thrills I can't define.
Now that I've allowed myself to be kissed, I feel sensations that are both exciting and overwhelming.
Listen, sweet, I repeat, How long has this been going on?
I can't stop thinking about how long it's been since I've experienced these feelings.
Oh, I feel that I could melt, Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I'm so deeply moved that I feel like I'm ascending to a higher plane of existence.
I know how Columbus felt, Finding another world.
This discovery feels as monumental as Columbus discovering a new world.
Kiss me once, then once more. What a dunce I was before.
I now realize how foolish I was for denying myself this simple pleasure.
What a break! For Heaven's sake! How long has this been going on?
I'm grateful for this breakthrough and can't believe I went so long without experiencing it.
Dear, when in your arms I creep, That divine rendezvous,
Being held in my loved one's arms feels so special and intimate.
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep, Let me dream that it's true!
I don't ever want to leave this moment and hope to keep dreaming of this love.
Kiss me twice, then once more. That makes thrice, let's make it four!
I want to keep experiencing this affection as much as possible.
How long has this been going on? How long has this, been going on?
I'm still in disbelief and can't stop wondering how long it's been since I last allowed myself to experience this kind of love.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM C HANDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dzy4u
Just soooo wonderful ... sweet Jake and George, gone now, but certainly their fabulous voices and spirits are not forgotten... truly men of God.
@claudias9391
How anyone can hear something like this and not feel the Holy Spirit is beyond me. Such a beautiful song. ❤✝️
@shellonsamuels-white9905
How long has it been? lord it has been too long since I have stayed on my knees until light broke through. Help me to return to my first 💕.
@dorothymckenzieflemmings6891
Beautiful its toching God bless my beloved brothers in Christ
@anderander5662
The great Mosie Lister songwriter
@RUT812
Amen!
@mississippikid748
What a wonderful song. Praise the Lord.
@JaniceMathis
How long has it been
@rosieross4673
Jesus loves
@marjoriekindiger7783
Just now! October 21, 2021. Had this going through my head but couldn't find it in any of our hymnals! Thanks to Google, and the great Gaither musicians, my husband and I got to hear it! MK in TN