Here is some background information on Dave Barnes from the Mine To Love Songfacts: Barnes gained a lot of recognition after his song "God Gave Me You" became a hit single for Blake Shelton. Barnes' fifth album, Stories To Tell was his first release since his breakthrough. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producer John Fields, marking the first time Barnes had recorded outside of his home town Nashville. It was released on March 13, 2012.
How Long
Dave Barnes Lyrics
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Are we just another long goodbye?
In this land of the left and leaving
We know that we gotta try
How long can we go on?
Here in the middle, we won't give a little
And how long can we go on like this
How long can we go on?
Heart break is what it takes sometimes, you see
But what about you and me?
How long?
Forgiveness is a heavy promise
Its a language that's so hard to speak
I'm hearing whispers by the darkest voices
But I know what you mean to me (so much to me)
How long can we go on?
Here in the middle, we won't give a little
And how long can we go on like this
Oh won't you tell me?
How long can we go on?
Heart break is what it takes sometimes, you see
But what about you and me?
How long?
And all we are, we are
And what will be, will be
You and I we gotta find
A burned up bridge to each others side
Its the only way to see
How long can we go on?
How long can we go on?
Barely living, when nobody's giving in
How long can we go on like this
Oh won't you tell me?
How long can we go on?
Heart break is what it takes sometimes, you see
But what about you and me?
How long?
The lyrics of Dave Barnes's How Long is a song about a relationship that is experiencing trouble and facing the harsh reality that forgiveness is difficult to achieve. The song delves into the difficulties of a love that is left unsure, living heavy-hearted and questioning how long the relationship can go on. It paints a picture of a couple who have attempted to break ties but can't seem to give up on each other just yet.
The opening lines "You and I are living heavy-hearted, are we just another long goodbye?" suggests a couple who are lingering in their relationship, unable to cut ties despite their problems. They live every day feeling the heaviness of their burden, questioning if they can really make it work, but willing to try. The lyrics also touch on the theme of forgiveness, an essential ingredient in any long-lasting and successful relationship. However, forgiveness is portrayed as a difficult promise that requires a strength of character that both partners may not possess.
The chorus perfectly encapsulates the song's message. It is a question of how long a relationship can sustain itself, like this, when both partners are barely holding on. The final lines of the song, "How long can we go on? Heartbreak is what it takes sometimes, you see. But what about you and me?", sum up the question that people may ask themselves when faced with the tough choices involved in holding onto or leaving a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I are living heavy-hearted
We are burdened by something that is weighing on us
Are we just another long goodbye?
Are we going to end this like all the other relationships that have failed before us?
In this land of the left and leaving
In a world where people are always leaving, it is difficult to find stability
We know that we gotta try
We understand that it takes effort to make a relationship work
How long can we go on?
How much longer can we continue like this?
Here in the middle, we won't give a little
We are committed to making our relationship work regardless of the obstacles
And how long can we go on like this
How much longer can we endure the struggle?
Oh won't you tell me?
Can you please give me an answer?
Heart break is what it takes sometimes, you see
Sometimes, we have to endure pain to make a relationship work
But what about you and me?
What is going to happen to us specifically?
Forgiveness is a heavy promise
Forgiving someone requires a lot of effort and commitment
It's a language that's so hard to speak
It is not easy to express forgiveness, it takes effort to express it properly
I'm hearing whispers by the darkest voices
I am hearing negative influences that are trying to convince me to give up
But I know what you mean to me (so much to me)
I know that you are important to me, and I am willing to fight for our relationship
And all we are, we are
We are all we have, and we need to stick together
And what will be, will be
We don't know what the future holds, but we will face it together
You and I we gotta find
We need to work together to
A burned up bridge to each other's side
Rekindle the passion we once had
It's the only way to see
It is the only way to move forward
Barely living, when nobody's giving in
We are on the verge of giving up, but we refuse to let go
Heart break is what it takes sometimes, you see
Sometimes it takes heartbreak to make a relationship stronger
But what about you and me?
What is going to happen to us specifically?
How long?
Can we keep going like this?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind