How Long
Eilen Jewell Lyrics


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The darkness is deep, but night will end
'Cause truth crushed to earth will rise again
How long will it take, you want to know
How long, not long because you reap just what you sow

How long, not long because no lie lives forever
How long, not long because we'll turn aside never
How long, not long because we've sounded all the trumpets
How long, not long because the great arc follows justice

How long, not long because the truth is marching on
How long, not long because this hour will soon be gone
Though our aching legs are weary the truth is marching on
The truth is marching on,
The truth is marching on and on and on and on




How long
How long

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eilen Jewell's song, "How Long," speaks to the endurance of truth despite the darkness and challenges it may face. The first two lines emphasize the depth of the darkness, but assures the listener that the night will eventually end. This is followed by the powerful line, "truth crushed to earth will rise again," which points to the resilience of the truth. The singer then asks, "how long will it take?" but immediately responds, "not long," because what we sow, we reap. This line reminds us of the inevitability of consequences and the importance of accountability.


The chorus repeats the phrase, "how long, not long," and provides various reasons for truth's endurance. The idea that "no lie lives forever" suggests that falsehood will eventually be exposed and the truth will be revealed. The line, "we'll turn aside never," speaks to the unwavering commitment to the truth. The sound of "all the trumpets" indicates a call to action and serves as a reminder that this is a collective effort. Finally, the "great arc follows justice" suggests that although progress may not always be linear, justice and truth will ultimately prevail.


Overall, the song "How Long" is a powerful message that emphasizes the importance of truth and justice. While the world may be filled with challenges, the truth will always endure and ultimately overcome these challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

The darkness is deep, but night will end
Though the situation may appear bleak, all bad things come to an end and light will eventually prevail


'Cause truth crushed to earth will rise again
Even when the truth seems to be suppressed or defeated, it will eventually emerge and triumph


How long will it take, you want to know
Inquiring minds want to know how long until justice and truth prevails


How long, not long because you reap just what you sow
The length of time until justice is served is not long because the consequences of one's actions always come back around


How long, not long because no lie lives forever
Lies may endure for a while, but they can't exist forever and the truth will always win in the end


How long, not long because we'll turn aside never
We will never overlook or ignore injustices and will always fight for what is right and just


How long, not long because we've sounded all the trumpets
We have made our message and intentions clear, and therefore, victory is near


How long, not long because the great arc follows justice
The universe is structured to ensure justice; therefore, it won't take long before it prevails


How long, not long because the truth is marching on
The truth won't be stopped, and its momentum is building


How long, not long because this hour will soon be gone
Bad times and things are temporary, and they will soon pass


Though our aching legs are weary the truth is marching on
We may be tired and beaten, but we haven't given up, and the truth will always be upheld


The truth is marching on
The forces of truth and justice will always persevere


The truth is marching on and on and on and on
The momentum of truth and justice cannot be stopped, and it will endure


How long
The question remains, but the answer is clear: Justice will eventually prevail




Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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