So Long Farewell
Rogers and Hammerstein Lyrics
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But there's no street signs in this town
It's gettin' dark I can hardly see
Because all the lights are burned out
I tried to stop somewhere and ask
But all the stores are closed down
Where the hell am I?
[Chorus]
I've been looking for you so long
Down every road I've been on
In every empty glass
And every jukebox sad song
I've been lying to myself
And everyone can tell
Since you've been gone
I've been looking for you so long
I know why
I'm the reason why
My shattered heart is on the run
Doubt I deserve a second chance
But I'd do anything to get one
The more I try to get back to you
The more it all comes undone
Where the hell am I?
Where the hell are you tonight?
[Chorus]
I'm lost
I'm trying to find you here
In someone else's town
In the middle of nowhere
Out of gas
Watching people pass
Me by
[Chorus]
I've been looking for you so long
The lyrics of the song “So Long Farewell” by Rogers and Hammerstein allude to a feeling of being lost, both physically and emotionally. The singer is in a place where they can’t seem to find their way around because the town doesn’t have any street signs. As the day turns into night, the darkness makes it even harder for them to locate their bearings. The stores are closed down, which makes it impossible for them to reach out for help. They are left stranded, and the only emotion that they can express is frustration, asking where they are and where their companion is.
The chorus of the song echoes the title and focuses on the emotions of the singer who is searching for their companion. They feel like they’ve been looking for the person for a long time and have been roaming around, yet are unable to find them. They have tried everything - every road, every empty glass, every sad song, and have lied to themselves that they’ve been okay. But deep inside, they know they’ve been trying to fill a void, and people around them can tell. They ache for the companionship they once had and long for the return of the missing person.
The final verse talks about how the singer understands that they are the reason for the heartache and not the other person. They feel they don’t deserve a second chance but still would do anything to get one. The more they try to reunite with their companion, the more things seem to fall apart. The singer is lost, both geographically and emotionally, as they try to follow the memories of their companion in someone else’s town and run out of gas, watching people pass them by. The chorus ends the song on a poignant note, as the singer is still searching for their companion, who they’ve been looking for oh so long.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to find my way around here
I attempted to navigate this unfamiliar territory
But there's no street signs in this town
I encountered difficulty in finding my way due to a lack of signage.
It's gettin' dark I can hardly see
As the sun sets, visibility is increasingly limited.
Because all the lights are burned out
Artificial light sources are no longer functioning.
I tried to stop somewhere and ask
I attempted to solicit guidance from a passerby or establishment.
But all the stores are closed down
Businesses have ceased operation for the day or permanently.
Where the hell am I?
I am uncertain of my present location.
Where the hell are you tonight?
I am questioning the whereabouts of a person significant to me.
I've been looking for you so long
My search for you has been extensive.
Down every road I've been on
I have traversed countless paths in pursuit of you.
In every empty glass
Even in consuming alcohol, I have yet to find you.
And every jukebox sad song
Songs with melancholic lyrics fail to remedy my longing.
I've been lying to myself
I have been deceitful with regards to my ability to cope on my own.
And everyone can tell
My pretense is transparent to those around me.
Since you've been gone
The void you left behind has been profound and persistent.
I know why
I understand the root cause of my current state.
I'm the reason why
I am the sole culpable party in my separation from you.
My shattered heart is on the run
Inevitable heartbreak has led to my circumstances in which I am hopelessly unanchored.
Doubt I deserve a second chance
I hold reservations regarding my justness for reconciliation.
But I'd do anything to get one
Nonetheless, I am willing to exhaust any effort necessary to regain your affection.
The more I try to get back to you
My pursuit of you has been arduous and unfruitful.
The more it all comes undone
My efforts to reattain what was lost lead to further disintegration.
I'm lost
I am directionless and adrift.
I'm trying to find you here
My goal is to locate you at this present place and time.
In someone else's town
I am searching for you in a foreign environment.
In the middle of nowhere
This search has led me to a remote and unknown location.
Out of gas
I have depleted my available resources with which to continue my journey.
Watching people pass
Those around me seem to have direction and purpose, while I am stuck in a frustrated purgatory.
Me by
I remain, motionless and uncertain, as life moves on around me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY ROGERS, SEAN MCCONNELL, SEAN MICHAEL MCCONNELL
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