Down to the River was released in June 2019 and produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, John Prine and previously unreleased Elvis Presley recordings). It includes Devon, Duane, Berry Oakley Jr. (son of original Allman Brothers Band bassist Berry Oakley), slide guitar virtuoso Johnny Stachela, and DAP percussionists R. Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow) and John Lum. Peter Levin (Gregg Allman's Hammond B3 player) and Chuck Leavell (former Allman Brothers Band keyboardist and current Rolling Stones keyboardist) also appear on the record.
Long Gone
The Allman Betts Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suitcase and an old guitar
Just outside Oklahoma City
Place called Johnny's Roadside Bar
Having fun, son of a gun
I ain't fit to be tied
I'm on my way back to Georgia
Sometimes it at easy
When you don't have much to spare
Traveling light, Lord, counting on my fifth
But the little bit hear and there
She's got the prettiest big brown eyes
When she's satisfied
But I'm on way back to Georgia, boys
Won't you give me a ride
I'm a long time gone
On my way back home, Lord
Long time gone, gone
I'm a long time gone
On my way back home, Lord
Long time gone, gone
I'm a long time gone
On my way back home, Lord
Long time gone, gone
The Allman Brothers Band's song Long Time Gone portrays the joys of being on the road and traveling light. The lyrics depict a man with a suitcase and an old guitar, standing outside Johnny's Roadside Bar just outside Oklahoma City. He is having fun, and despite not being fit to be tied, he is on his way back to Georgia and is hoping for a ride. The singer is enjoying his freedom, and all he has to count on is his fifth; he doesn't have much but is content with what he has. The singer seems to be in love with a lady with the prettiest brown eyes, but his heart is set on heading back home to Georgia.
The song is a classic depiction of Americana, with its focus on travel, adventure, and chasing one's dreams. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, and the melody is engaging, with an upbeat and catchy sound. The song speaks to those who have a deep love for travel and adventure, and who find joy in the simple things in life. It is a tribute to the human spirit and the pursuit of freedom and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the lonesome highway
Traveling on lonely roads
Suitcase and an old guitar
Carrying my belongings and my music
Just outside Oklahoma City
Somewhere near the city of Oklahoma
Place called Johnny's Roadside Bar
A bar by the roadside owned by a man named Johnny
Having fun, son of a gun
Enjoying myself, not worrying about anything else
I ain't fit to be tied
I am not meant to be tied down, I love my freedom
I'm on my way back to Georgia
Heading back to the state of Georgia where I belong
Won't you give me a ride
Asking for a ride from someone passing by
Sometimes it at easy
Life is simple and easy
When you don't have much to spare
When you don't have many resources
Traveling light, Lord, counting on my fifth
Traveling with minimal baggage and relying on luck
But the little bit hear and there
A small amount of something here and there
She's got the prettiest big brown eyes
Describing the physical appearance of a woman's eyes
When she's satisfied
When she is happy and content
But I'm on way back to Georgia, boys
Returning to Georgia
Won't you give me a ride
Requesting a lift from someone once again
I'm a long time gone
I have been gone for a while
On my way back home, Lord
Returning to my hometown with God's help
Long time gone, gone
It has been a long time since I left and now I am coming back
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FORREST RICHARD BETTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oldmanonthehill56
Grew up in East Tennessee in the 60s 70s listening to your fathers music and there is no doubt listening to your music and seeing you perform at the Bijou in Knoxville that you have the true DNA that it would require to write such true southern rock,blues and jazz music as beautifully as you do. Blows my mind! If I didn't know better I would say all of your music and the music from the Allman Brothers were written and performed by the same group of extremely talented musicians. It's almost as if all of you were in the same room creating these 2 albums. I cant wait to hear more from you and hope a live album comes soon. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. 65 years old and hope to still be around in 15 or 20 years to see how great you have become. Thanx again. Wish you all the years of success together that you want and deserve.
@billdursa4724
Grew up in Ohio, listened to ABB when I was a teenager. Am now 65 still love them. You are doing a beautiful job of remembering them yet doing your own thing. Keep it up, blessings to you all from nc now!
@devonallman6683
You’re such amazing 😉 If you don’t mind kindly drop me your hangout just to get in touch with you 💯❤️
@garyschneider8829
I'm so with y'all brother Bill on your thoughts. And what a plus having Barry Oakley JR on bass guitar.
Let's eat a Peach For Peace/ and Skydog for getting the ball rolling 🎸
@oldmanonthehill56
Devon your father has THE most beautiful, soulful, real life blues voice EVER. It's impossible to listen to it and not feel every emotion he must have felt when creating such beautiful music from his soul.
@trac3y160
☯ nice sentiment, but, this is THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND - come on man, shall we, give credit to the band. •♬•♫• this is their time to ֆɦɨռɛ. [ 💧︎☟︎✋︎☠︎☜︎📬︎ ]
@chelsg1983
Just found ABB and I can't stop listening. Looking forward to seeing ABB in Portland,OR in September.
@dachu134
Just saw them live last night at the Macon Auditorium- had no idea what to expect, and they delivered, way beyond and above. Once warmed up they proceeded to dial in and tear it up, performance and musicianship wise, soaring to new nuanced heights I'm not that the original brothers could always reach. They seemed hungry to fly higher as a unit, and sustained their laser focus for a full three hours. It was like a religious experience, and we the crowd really seemed moved.
@lightmagnet1961
Grew up listening to soutgern rock. As a 60 year old I remember how awesome the bands were including your dads. I cant believe how great your music is. Thank you for bringing the sound I grew up with back AMAZING SONG
@townsvillian12
What a wonderful tribute to your fathers