How Long
Kelly Pat Lyrics
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Watching the trains speed along
Weep, oh, willow weep
Let me hear your song
So that my soul will be filled with joy
My heart and I
It alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
Tell me, sister, oh, how long
Listen to me
As I try my best not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
I'm hated by you, and you're loved by me
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
My heart and I
It alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
How long, how long will it takes me to be your man again?
Oh, tell me now, how long
As I try my best not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
I'm hated by you and you're loved by me
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
My heart and I
interpret the lyrics of Kelly Pat's song "How Long" as a lament of lost love that still lingers on. The singer is standing alone on a railroad track, watching trains speed by while contemplating his situation. He asks the weeping willow to sing to him so that he can regain some measure of joy in his soul. However, despite his efforts, he cannot help but feel the tears on his face and the pain of being hated by the woman he still loves.
The singer acknowledges the "hex" that he bears, meaning the pain and suffering he must endure because of his love for this woman. He asks his "sister" how long it will take him to be her man again, implying that there was a time when they were together, but now he feels distant and unwanted. He tries his best not to sigh, but the tears and sorrow persist.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of heartbreak and longing for a lost love that seems impossible to regain. The singer's love is unrequited, and he must bear the burden of his pain and try not to break under the weight of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Stood along this lonely track
I am standing by myself on this desolate path
Watching the trains speed along
Observing the locomotives rush by with speed
Weep, oh, willow weep
Cry, oh, willow tree, shed your tears
Let me hear your song
Allow me to listen to your melody
So that my soul will be filled with joy
In order to bring happiness to my inner being
My heart and I
My innermost feelings and myself
It alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
Only my heart is aware of my burdens, so I questioned
How long, how long will it takes me to be your man again?
For how much time must pass to regain your love and trust?
Tell me, sister, oh, how long
Please share with me, my dear sibling, how much longer
Listen to me
Pay attention to my words
As I try my best not to sigh
While attempting to avoid letting out a deep breath
I still feel the tears on my face
I can still sense the wetness on my cheeks
I'm hated by you, and you're loved by me
You harbor animosity towards me, while I still have love for you
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
Even though it's difficult to handle, I attempt not to ruin our relationship
Oh, tell me now, how long
Oh, please declare to me, right now, how much longer
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAT KELLY, EDWARD LEE, EDWARD OSULLIVAN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antony Howe
Absolutely timeless record and what a voice.Always makes me smile 😃
Riogi
I agree with you, Antony.
Romy Igoe
My dad was a skinhead in '69 and this was one of his fave reggae tunes of the time. Still is in fact!
bovver-skin
I'm a skinhead, it's been five years now, and I discovered this song like 2 years ago and I can even feel chills in my body today, it's my fave rocksteady song of all time
Miss T.E.A.
This was the soundtrack for skins, suedes, rude boys back then - you name it.
Azimech
Great song, great voice, great piano 🤤🔥❤️
Veronica Hislop
I was a little girl dancing with my dad to this song he has long since passed but it was one of his favorite songs memories
Christopher Turner
Best rocksteady vocals ever? Pat Kelly really found a sweet spot here, somewhere between the style of Sam Cooke and that of mid-60s Curtis Mayfield. I've heard that this was the most popular song in Jamaica in 1969 and one listen will tell you why.
Glenn Harrison
RIP Pat Kelly.
"How long" was my first record that I ever bought.
Ree Kee
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