How Long
Lifehouse Lyrics


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Climb on top of all you despise
It's a better view from the lies
Two steps behind before I've begun
Time stops to tell me all I could have done

And I'll say
How long till the word will be completed
How many times will history repeat it
How long will it take

How long
How long
I want to go
Will you show me the way

I'd rather be wrong than be deceived
To thinking that I believe
That I can stand to be here on my own
There's too many questions that we won't ask
In hopes that this too will pass

But how far down do we have to go before we know it
How long till the word will be completed
How many times will history repeat it
How long will it take

How long
How long
I want to go
Will you show me the way

How long
How long
How long will it take

How long
How long
How long
I want to go
Will you show me the way

How long
How long
How long will it take
How long till the word will be completed
How many times will history repeat it




How long till the words fall to the pages
How many times till all we can say is save us

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lifehouse's song "How Long" appear to be a contemplation on the passage of time, and the challenges that arise when attempting to make sense of it all. The opening lines, "Climb on top of all you despise / It's a better view from the lies," suggest that sometimes we might find it easier to overlook uncomfortable truths rather than confront them directly. The subsequent lines, "Two steps behind before I've begun / Time stops to tell me all I could have done," seem to express a sense of regret at missed opportunities and a lack of forward momentum.


The chorus, which repeats the question "How long," appears to be an open-ended inquiry about the nature of time itself. The singer's frustration is palpable as he asks, "How long till the word will be completed? / How many times will history repeat it? / How long will it take?" There is a feeling of disillusionment with the current state of affairs, and a deep sense of desire for things to be different. This longing is expressed in the final lines of the song, which plead, "How long till the words fall to the pages / How many times till all we can say is save us."


Overall, the lyrics to "How Long" seem to be grappling with the complex and often overwhelming experience of being alive in the world. There is a sense of confusion, frustration, and longing for something better. The song is an invitation to reflect on the passing of time, and to consider what it might mean to live a meaningful life in the face of so much uncertainty and change.


Line by Line Meaning

Climb on top of all you despise
Get above your hatred and see things from a better perspective


It's a better view from the lies
Sometimes dishonesty can provide a more desirable, less painful reality


Two steps behind before I've begun
I feel behind and hopeless before even starting


Time stops to tell me all I could have done
Regret prevents me from moving forward; I'm stuck in the past


How long till the word will be completed
When will life finally make sense?


How many times will history repeat it
Why do people keep making the same mistakes?


I'd rather be wrong than be deceived
I'd rather make a mistake than be tricked into believing something false


To thinking that I believe
I don't want to be duped into thinking I'm genuinely convinced of something


That I can stand to be here on my own
I'm not sure I can handle being alone


There's too many questions that we won't ask
We're afraid to ask important questions that could lead us to uncomfortable answers


In hopes that this too will pass
We ignore problems and hope they'll just go away on their own


How far down do we have to go before we know it
How bad does the situation have to become before we acknowledge it?


How long till the words fall to the pages
When will the knowledge we have become action?


How many times till all we can say is save us
When will things become so dire that we cry out for help?


I want to go
I'm tired of being stuck here


Will you show me the way
Can someone please help me find my path?


How long will it take
When will things finally change?




Lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JASON WADE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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