Long Way Home
Norah Jones Lyrics


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Well I stumbled in the darkness
I'm lost and alone
Though I said I'd go before us
And show the way back home
Is there a light up ahead?
I can't hold on very long
Forgive me pretty baby
But I always take the long way home

Money's just something you throw
Off the back of a train
I got a handful of lightening
And a hat full of rain
And I know that I said
I'd never do it again
Oh, and I love you sweet baby
But I always take the long way home

I put food on the table
And roof overhead
But I'd trade it all tomorrow
For the highway instead
Watch your back if I should tell
Your loves the only thing I've ever known
One thing's for sure sweet baby
I always take the long way home

You know I love you baby
More than the whole wide world
I'm your woman
I know you are my pearl
So let's go out past the party lights
Where we can finally be alone
Come with me
And we can take the long way home
Mm-mm, come with me
Together we can take the long way home




Mm-mm, come with me
Together we can take the long way home

Overall Meaning

Norah Jones's song The Long Way Home is a ballad that tells the story of a lost and lonely traveler who is searching for the path back to where he feels he belongs. The singer begins by admitting that he had promised to lead his companions home but has strayed off course and found himself in the dark, with no light to guide him. He sings about his inability to hold on for long in this uncertain situation but asks his love interest for forgiveness because he always takes the long way home.


The second verse finds the singer reflecting on the transitory nature of wealth, comparing it to something that can be easily thrown off the back of a train. He sings about having a handful of lightning and a hat full of rain, which could be interpreted as symbols of the intangible and changing nature of things. Despite knowing that he had promised never to make the same mistake again, the singer has returned to his old ways. The chorus repeats the refrain of taking the long way home while also referencing the trade-off between stability and the freedom of the road.


The final verse declares the singer's love for his partner and cements the idea that the two of them belong together. By inviting the listener to join them on a journey past the party lights, they can finally be alone and enjoy each other's company. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the couple planning to take the long way home together.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I stumbled in the darkness
I am lost and have no direction in life


I'm lost and alone
I have no one to turn to for guidance


Though I said I'd go before us
I promised to lead you on the right path


And show the way back home
And help you find your way back to a better life


Is there a light up ahead?
I am unsure if there is hope for a better future


I can't hold on very long
I am struggling and need your help


Forgive me pretty baby
Please forgive me for my mistakes


But I always take the long way home
But I always make things harder for myself


Money's just something you throw
Money isn't worth much in the grand scheme of things


Off the back of a train
It's easy to lose money and have it disappear


I got a handful of lightning
I have something special and rare


And a hat full of rain
But I also have a lot of troubles and worries


And I know that I said
I promised not to make the same mistakes again


I'd never do it again
But it's hard to break old habits


Oh, and I love you sweet baby
But I care about you more than anything


But I always take the long way home
I still struggle with making things harder than they need to be


I put food on the table
I provide for you in the best way I know how


And roof overhead
I make sure you have a safe place to live


But I'd trade it all tomorrow
But I would give it all up in a heartbeat


For the highway instead
For a chance to explore and seek adventure


Watch your back if I should tell
Be cautious if I ever express doubts about our relationship


Your loves the only thing I've ever known
Because you are the only thing in my life that is certain and true


One thing's for sure sweet baby
I may be unpredictable but my love for you is certain


I always take the long way home
I still struggle with finding the easy way out


You know I love you baby
I care about you more than anything in the world


More than the whole wide world
More than anything else in existence


I'm your woman
I am here for you and will always support you


I know you are my pearl
You are something precious and valuable to me


So let's go out past the party lights
Let's leave our problems behind us and enjoy life


Where we can finally be alone
Where we can connect on a deeper level


Come with me
Trust me and let's explore the world together


And we can take the long way home
It may not be easy, but we will get there eventually


Mm-mm, come with me
Let's embark on this journey together


Together we can take the long way home
We are in this together and will overcome any obstacles that come our way




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kathleen Brennan, Thomas Alan Waits

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on I Turned Your Picture to the Wall

Down by the Riverside - Noah Wall - Lyrics

I’m gonna lay down my heavy load,
Down by the riverside,
Oh yeah
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my heavy load,
Down by the riverside,
I’m gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
No I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more

I’m gonna put on my long white robe,
Down by the riverside
Oh yeah
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna put on my long white robe,
Down by the riverside
I’m gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more

Musical Interlude


Well, I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside
I’m gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,

Anonymous


on The Nearness of You

The Nearness Of You - Camille Thurman -Lyrics

Its not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me, oh no
Its just the nearness of you

It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation, oh no
Its just the nearness of you

When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams do come true

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you

Saxophone Musical Interlude

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness, the nearness of you

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