Gone At Last
Paul Simon Phoebe Snow and Jessy Dixon Singers Lyrics
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Snow was fallin', drifts were high
And I was weary from my driving
And I stopped to rest for awhile
I sat down at a truck stop
I was thinking about my past
I've had a long streak of that bad luck
[Chorus]
Gone at last, gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
I had a long streak of bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
Oo, oo, oo...
I ain't dumb
I kicked around some
I don't fall too easily
But that boy looked so dejected
He just grabbed my sympathy
Sweet little soul now, what's your problem?
Tell me why you're so downcast
I've had a long streak of bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
[Chorus]
Once in a while from out of nowhere
When you don't expect it, and you're unprepared
Somebody will come and lift you higher
And your burdens will be shared
Yes I do believe, if I hadn't met you
I might still be sinking fast
I've had a long streak of that bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Gone At Last" by Paul Simon, Phoebe Snow, and Jessy Dixon Singers describe the feeling of relief and hope after going through a long streak of bad luck. The singer is driving on icy roads and feeling weary when they stop at a truck stop to rest. As they reflect on their past and bad luck, a young man catches their sympathy. The singer asks the man why he is so downcast, and they realize that they share a common struggle - a long streak of bad luck.
However, the chorus suggests that this bad luck may be gone at last. The singer acknowledges that they have experienced hardships but now they have hope that things will be better. The final verse implies that the young man they met provided this hope; "once in a while from out of nowhere... somebody will come and lift you higher." Through this chance encounter, the singer found the hope they needed to keep going and believe that their bad luck has come to an end.
In summary, "Gone At Last" is a song about finding hope after experiencing a long streak of bad luck. The chance encounter with someone who shares their struggle provides the singer with the hope they needed to believe that their bad luck is finally over. The lyrics suggest that hope and kindness from others can make all the difference in overcoming struggles in life.
Line by Line Meaning
The night was black, the roads were icy
The darkness was impenetrable, and the roads were covered in ice.
Snow was fallin', drifts were high
The snow was falling heavily and causing deep drifts to form.
And I was weary from my driving
I was exhausted from driving for a long time.
And I stopped to rest for awhile
I took a break to get some rest.
I sat down at a truck stop
I found a place to sit at a truck stop.
I was thinking about my past
I was reflecting on my previous experiences.
I've had a long streak of that bad luck
I've been experiencing a prolonged period of unfortunate events.
But I'm praying it's gone at last
I am hoping that this sequence of bad luck is finally over.
Gone at last, gone at last
Finally, the troubles are in the past.
Gone at last, gone at last
Finally, the troubles are in the past.
I ain't dumb
I am not unintelligent.
I kicked around some
I have experienced some difficulties in my life.
I don't fall too easily
I am strong-willed and hard to bring down.
But that boy looked so dejected
However, I noticed that young man was feeling very downcast.
He just grabbed my sympathy
He stirred up my feelings of compassion.
Sweet little soul now, what's your problem?
Please tell me what's bothering you, young one.
Tell me why you're so downcast
Why are you feeling so low?
Once in a while from out of nowhere
Every so often, unexpectedly,
When you don't expect it, and you're unprepared
At times you may not be prepared for what comes your way.
Somebody will come and lift you higher
Someone may come along and provide some uplifting support.
And your burdens will be shared
Together, you may lighten the load of your troubles.
Yes I do believe, if I hadn't met you
I strongly believe that if I hadn't met you,
I might still be sinking fast
I could still be floundering in despair.
I've had a long streak of that bad luck
I've been experiencing a prolonged period of unfortunate events.
But I pray it's gone at last
But I hope that it's finally over.
Gone at last, gone at last
Finally, the troubles are in the past.
Gone at last, gone at last
Finally, the troubles are in the past.
Oo, oo, oo...
(vocalizations)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Logan Smith
The night was black, the roads were icy
Snow was fallin', drifts were high
And I was weary from my driving
And I stopped to rest for awhile
I sat down at a truck stop
I was thinking about my past
I've had a long streak of that bad luck
But I'm praying it's gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
I had a long streak of bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
Oo, oo, oo...
I ain't dumb
I kicked around some
I don't fall too easily
But that boy looked so dejected
He just grabbed my sympathy
Sweet little soul now, what's your problem?
Tell me why you're so downcast
I've had a long streak of bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
I had a long streak of bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
Oo, oo, oo...
Once in a while from out of nowhere
When you don't expect it, and you're unprepared
Somebody will come and lift you higher
And your burdens will be shared
Yes I do believe, if I hadn't met you
I might still be sinking fast
I've had a long streak of that bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
I had a long streak of bad luck
But I pray it's gone at last
Oo, oo, oo...
Quadcopter 101
Or alternatively, try these lyrics ;-)
I was standing by my window
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I said to that undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
For this lady you are carrying
Lord, I hate to see her go
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Oh, I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I went back home Lord, my home was lonesome
Missed my mother, she was gone
All of my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Walter Krueger
One of my favorite Paul Simon tunes with Phoebe Snow. Excellent! 🎵🎼🎶
Ralph Lizza
Love Phoebe Snow! Rest well!
Krista West
No one could understand the joy I had singing this with my Dad in the car. Everytime I hear it I am 7 years old and singing off key to an 8 track. He pretended I was great. Then I could suddenly carry a tune and we had more fun.
DRAGONFIGHTERGR
I get it 100%. We did the same thing with my dad ❤
Mariah
This is one of those songs that is so perfectly done it's pure genius. Gives me goosebumps.
Lg Mayes
Wish I could play gospel piano like this...took me to church...Phoebe Snow is so missed on this planet
Neal Sausen
RICHARD TEE!
Monday Rose
@Neal Sausen Richard Tee was the sweetheart of session players in New York in the 80s. IMHO the greatest gospel pianist of all times.
Jacquelyn Inyama
I really Miss Phoebe! She was the best part of this track
Scott Burton
Can't believe this song only got to # 23 in the fall of 1975-Should've been a bigger hit-RIP Phoebe Snow.