A Long Time A Growin'
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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If today was not a crooked highway
If tonight was not a crooked trail
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all
Yes and only if my own true love was waitin'
And if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin'
Yes, only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again

I can't see my reflection in the waters
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps
Or remember the sound of my own name
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin'
And if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin'
Yes and only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again

There's beauty in the silver, singin' river
There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in my true love's eyes
Yes and only if my own true love was waitin'
I could hear her heart a softly poundin'




Yes and only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again

Overall Meaning

The song 'Tomorrow Is a Long Time' by Bob Dylan is a poetic reflection on the pain of loneliness and the power of love's presence. Dylan employs vivid imagery to express his longing for his own true love. The opening lines, "If today was not a crooked highway/If tonight was not a crooked trail" paint a picture of a difficult journey through life, and the refrain "If tomorrow wasn't such a long time" demonstrates a sense of lost hope and endless waiting.


The singer expresses his desire for the comforting presence of his lover, imagining his ability to hear her heart "a-softly poundin'," and lie in his bed once again. The second verse speaks to a more existential sense of loss, as the singer cannot see his reflection, speak, hear echoes or remember his own name. The chorus repeats the conditional longing for his true love, which acts as an anchor and source of beauty in his life. The song concludes with a reiteration of the singer's will to endure life's difficulties if only his true love was by his side.


Overall, 'Tomorrow Is a Long Time' is a powerful meditation on the human experience of longing, loneliness, and the transformative power of love. This song can be seen as a poignant reflection of the human spirit's struggle for connection and meaning.


Line by Line Meaning

If today was not a crooked highway
If life wasn't filled with so many twists and turns


If tonight was not a crooked trail
If this path I am on wasn't so rocky


If tomorrow wasn't such a long time
If this period of darkness and loneliness would end soon


Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all
You wouldn't understand how it feels to be so alone


Yes and only if my own true love was waitin'
The only thing that would make this better is if my soulmate was here beside me


And if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin'
To be able to know that she's safe and sound in my arms


Yes, only if she was lyin' by me
Only her presence could bring me peace and comfort


Then I'd lie in my bed once again
Then I could finally rest my weary head


I can't see my reflection in the waters
I am so lost that I can't even recognize myself


I can't speak the sounds that show no pain
I am too broken to even pretend like I'm okay


I can't hear the echo of my footsteps
I am so alone that my presence doesn't even make a sound


Or remember the sound of my own name
I am so forgotten that I am losing touch with my own identity


There's beauty in the silver, singin' river
There is beauty in nature around me, but it doesn't make up for my loneliness


There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky
I can appreciate the beauty of the world, but it doesn't bring me happiness


But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
The love I have for my true love is above everything else


That I remember in my true love's eyes
Her love is what keeps me going through this incredibly tough time


Yes and only if my own true love was waitin'
The only thing that would make this better is if my soulmate was here beside me


I could hear her heart a softly poundin'
To be able to know that she's safe and sound in my arms


Yes and only if she was lyin' by me
Only her presence could bring me peace and comfort


Then I'd lie in my bed once again
Then I could finally rest my weary head




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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