How Long
Eagles Lyrics
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I've run just as far as I can run
If I never see the good old days shinin' in the sun
I'll be doin' fine and then some
How long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Well I been doin' time in lonesome prison, where the sun don't shine
Just outside, the freedom river runs
Out there in that shiny night, with blood hounds on your mind
Don't you know it's the same sad situation?
Everybody feels alright you know, I heard some poor fool say (somebody ooh)
Everyone is out there on the loose
Well I wish I lived in the land of fools, no one knew my name
But what you get is not quite what you choose
Tell me, how long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
How long, how long (long and drawn out)
Muddy River runs so deep
How long, how long (long and drawn out)
Good night baby, rock yourself to sleep
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself to sleep
Be-be-be, bye bye baby, rock yourself to sleep
The first verse of the song is a depiction of a lonely and lost individual who has run as far as he can run. He relates to a bluebird without a heart and is faced with the realization that he may never see the good old days shinin' in the sun again. However, he is also resolute that he will be doing fine and then some even if he doesn't experience the joys of life anymore.
The second verse uses the metaphor of a prison cell to depict the confinement of one's mind and soul. The freedom river runs outside, but he is unable to see it. It's a same sad situation because even those who feel alright on the outside are not truly free. The third verse refers to the foolishness of hope, and how it always brings a sense of disappointment. He wishes to live in a land where no one knew his name instead of living in the real world, where you don't always get what you choose.
The chorus asks how long will the woman weep and rock herself to sleep. The last two verses showcase the despair and hopelessness felt by the singer, as he talks about the deep muddy river running forever and finally wishing the baby a good night, hoping they can rock themselves to sleep.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a blue bird with his heart removed, lonely as a train
Feeling empty and alone, like a blue bird whose heart has been taken away, and as lonesome as a train.
I've run just as far as I can run
I have gone as far as I possibly could go.
If I never see the good old days shinin' in the sun
If I never get to experience the happiness of the past days again.
I'll be doin' fine and then some
I will not only be fine but will be better than fine.
How long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
Asking how long the woman will cry and how long she will need to soothe herself by rocking to sleep.
Well I been doin' time in lonesome prison, where the sun don't shine
Metaphorically imprisoned in a place of sadness and loneliness where no light can reach.
Just outside, the freedom river runs
Outside of this place of captivity, freedom is present.
Out there in that shiny night, with blood hounds on your mind
In the bright and beautiful night, plagued by the distressing thoughts haunting the mind.
Don't you know it's the same sad situation?
Realizing that others are experiencing the same misery and gloom.
Everybody feels alright you know, I heard some poor fool say (somebody ooh)
Some people pretend to be okay when they are not.
Everyone is out there on the loose
People are free to do what they want without any restrictions.
Well I wish I lived in the land of fools, no one knew my name
Longing to live in a place where others may be foolish and naive, but do not know one's own identity.
But what you get is not quite what you choose
What one gets in life is often not what one wanted or expected.
Tell me, how long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
Asking how long the woman will cry and how long she will need to soothe herself by rocking to sleep.
How long, how long (long and drawn out)
Muddy River runs so deep
The river runs very deep and the time needed to cope with emotions is prolonged.
How long, how long (long and drawn out)
Good night baby, rock yourself to sleep
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself to sleep
Be-be-be, bye bye baby, rock yourself to sleep
Repeating the need for the woman to soothe herself by rocking to sleep and bidding her goodnight.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN SOUTHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidaston5773
No, I disagree. They ARE American music. Not just a band. Like the Beach Boys or the Doors they are California. They are the soul and heart beat of America.
Some bands are bands. The Eagles are and never were 'a band'.
And those who love them? I'll happily buy them a drink even though I'm sober.
The music is part of me. And so is America.
Yours truly someone from England born on the 4th of July,
David
@marieblue
With new technology available, the Eagles could have updated their sound for their 2007 album โLong Road Out Of Eden,โ but decided to stick to the country-rock sound that made them one of the most popular bands in rock history. With a shared lead vocal by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, โHow Longโ sounds like it could have come from the 1970sโฆ because it didโ
The song was penned by J.D. Souther in 1969. The Eagles even performed it live in the โ70s, but they didnโt record it back then.
A throwback to the Eagles days when they sang about outlaws and desperados, โHow Longโ (2007) is sung from the perspective of a prisoner asking his girl how long sheโll wait for him to get out.
Six long years in production, โLong Road Out Of Edenโ was the Eagles seventh studio album and their first record in 28 years.
In 2008, the piece won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. ๐๐ฆ ๐
@daleferber2096
@@shivadasa I never said that they did
However
Don Henley absolutely kills those vocals and Joe Walsh definitely kills the Guitar part
The lines I quoted, that was Glenn Frey singing lead on those
I have said many times that the answers to most of life's mysteries can be found in Eagles lyrics
Hotel California
Already Gone
Life in the fast lane
Hole in the world
Long road out of Eden
That is before you even consider the Henley and Frey solo work
@marwaelgendy816
Like a blue bird with his heart removed, lonely as a train
I've run just as far as I can run
If I never see the good old days shinin' in the sun
I'll be doin' fine and then some
How long, how long
Woman will you weep?
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
Well, I been doin' time in a lonesome prison, where the sun don't shine
Just outside, the freedom river runs
Out there in that shiny night, with blood hounds on your mind
Don't you know it's the same sad situation?
How long, how long
Woman will you weep?
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
Everybody feels alright you know, I heard some poor fool say (somebody)
Everyone is out there on the loose
Well, I wish I lived in the land of fools, no one knew my name
But what you get is not quite what you choose
Tell me, how long, how long
Woman will you weep?
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
How long, how long
Muddy River runs so deep
How long, how long
Good night baby, rock yourself to sleep
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself to sleep
B-b-b-bye bye baby, rock yourself to sleep
@RickMcCargar
One of the greatest bands. Thanks for all the great memories! Life has been better with you guys in it.
@oguislacasa2253
YOU SAID THE TRUTH IN A VERY POETIC WAY, THANK YOU ๐. I LOVE ๐โค๏ธ THEIR SONGS, THEIR VOICES, THEIR STYLE, AND FOR ME, THEY ARE VERY, VERY TALENTED. HAVE A NICE YEAR.
@RickMcCargar
@Oguis La casa Thank you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
@evanhowell7429
Yes, a great band.
@davidaston5773
No, I disagree. They ARE American music. Not just a band. Like the Beach Boys or the Doors they are California. They are the soul and heart beat of America.
Some bands are bands. The Eagles are and never were 'a band'.
And those who love them? I'll happily buy them a drink even though I'm sober.
The music is part of me. And so is America.
Yours truly someone from England born on the 4th of July,
David
@NotUrBiz
@David Aston something seriously wrong with you
@marilynsnider8183
I'll listen to The Eagles forever. Rest In Peace, Glen. We miss you very much.
@joshmorgan3425
Hello Marilyn how are you doing?
@anelladambrosio2513
โ@@joshmorgan3425ciao Josh!๐๐๐๐๐
@randallkennedy2066
Glen Was great.Don has always been a goof.