How Long
Eric Clapton & Dr. John Lyrics
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Has that evening train been gone?
[Chorus:]
How long,
How how long,
Baby how long?
Down in my heart, I have an aching pain.
[Chorus]
I feel disgusted, I feel so bad
Thinking 'bout the good time that I once have had.
[Chorus]
I could see the green grass growing on the hill;
I ain't seen no greenback on a dollar bill.
[Chorus]
You're gonna be sorry, you'll feel so blue.
When you want me, baby, I declare I won't want you.
[Chorus]
Don't have no money for to ride the train.
I would ride the rods, baby, to be with you again.
[Chorus]
How long, baby how long
Must I keep my, my watch in pawn?
[Chorus]
"How Long Blues" by Eric Clapton is a traditional blues song that dates back to the 1920s. The song describes a man's longing and heartache for his lover who has left him. The lyrics express the man's sadness and frustration while he waits for her to return, wondering how long she has been gone and how long he must wait for her.
The first verse mentions the evening train, which symbolizes the woman leaving and not returning. The chorus repeats the phrase "how long" several times, emphasizing the length of time the man has been waiting for his lover's return. The second verse expresses the man's pain and disappointment that he did not see the train at the station. He is left with a deep heartache that won't go away.
The third verse talks about the memories of the good times and the feelings of regret that the man now experiences. The fourth verse talks about the struggles the man is currently facing in life. He sees the green grass growing on the hill but he doesn't have any money. The final verse tells the woman that she will regret leaving him and that he won't want her anymore when she comes back. He longs for her so much that he is even willing to ride the train's rods just to see her again.
Overall, "How Long Blues" is a classic blues song that expresses the pain and longing felt by people who have been left behind by their loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
How long, baby how long,
The singer is asking how long the evening train has been gone, likely indicating his lover has left him.
Has that evening train been gone?
The singer is questioning how long it has been since his lover left him to imply his sadness at being without them.
How long, How how long, Baby how long?
This is the chorus where the singer continues to lament his lover's absence and question how long he must continue to suffer.
Went to the station, didn't see no train.
The singer went to see if the evening train had returned indicating his eagerness to be reunited with his lover but found no sign of their return, adding to his heartache.
Down in my heart, I have an aching pain.
The singer expresses the pain he feels in his heart due to his lover leaving.
I feel disgusted, I feel so bad
The singer is upset, ashamed and disappointed in himself for the good times he had with his lover because now he is alone.
Thinking 'bout the good time that I once have had.
The singer reflects on the good times he had with his lover and how much he misses those moments.
I could see the green grass growing on the hill;
The singer can see summer's green, illustrating time keeps moving on after his lover left him.
I ain't seen no greenback on a dollar bill.
The singer doesn't have any money; implying that he is unable to move on in life because he's still thinking about the love he lost.
You're gonna be sorry, you'll feel so blue.
The singer forecasts that his lover will feel the same pain he feels when he/she wants to come back to him.
When you want me, baby, I declare I won't want you.
The singer is full of anger and is declaring when his lover comes back, he will not accept them.
Don't have no money for to ride the train.
The singer has no money to ride the train to reunite with his lover, indicating his financial troubles.
I would ride the rods, baby, to be with you again.
The singer is so desperate to be reunited with his lover that he is willing to resort to dangerous measures like riding between the train's cars to get back to them.
How long, baby how long
Must I keep my, my watch in pawn?
The singer continues questioning how much longer he must wait before he can get reacquainted with his lover without being reduced to pawning his belongings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEROY AUTHUR CARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind