So Long It's Been Good to Know You
Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston Lyrics
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Of the place that I lived on the wild, windy plains
In the month called April, county called Gray
And here's what all of the people there say
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
And I've got to be driftin' along
A dust storm hit, and it hit like thunder
It dusted us over, and it covered us under
Blocked out the traffic and blocked out the sun
Straight for home, all the people did run
Singin'
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
This dusty old dust is a-gettin' my home
I've got to be driftin' along
We talked of the end of the world, and then
We'd sing a song and then sing it again
We'd sit for an hour and not say a word
And then these words would be heard
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
This dusty old dust is a-gettin' my home
And I've got to be driftin' along
Sweethearts sat in the dark and sparked
They hugged and kissed in that dusty old dark
They sighed and cried, hugged and kissed
Instead of marriage, they talk like this
Honey
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
This dusty old dust is a-gettin' our home
And I've got to be driftin' along
Now, the telephone rang, and it jumped off the wall
That was the preacher, a-makin' his call
He said, "kind friend, this may the end
And you've got your last chance at salvation of sin"
The churches was jammed and the churches was packed
And that dusty old dust storm blowed so black
Preacher could not read a word of his text
And he folded his specs, ad' he took up collection
Said
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
So long, it's been good to know ya
This dusty old dust is a-gettin' my home
And I've got to be driftin' along
"Dusty Old Dust" is a song written by Woody Guthrie in response to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The lyrics describe life in the difficult environment of the plains during April, a month known for its dust storms. The song speaks to the resilience of the people who lived on the plains, who endured dust storms that turned the sky black, covering everything in a thick layer of dust. They found comfort in singing and in each other during difficult times. The song speaks to the sense of community that was essential in this harsh environment.
The lyrics are repeated throughout the song, acting as a refrain and representing a goodbye to the people and the place they called home. The chorus is a bittersweet farewell, acknowledging the hardship of living in the Dust Bowl but also the strength and resilience of the people who called it home. The verse about the preacher suggests that the community was deeply religious and turned to faith in times of crisis.
Overall, "Dusty Old Dust" is a tribute to the people who remained on the plains during the Dust Bowl and a reminder of the perseverance and resilience that it takes to survive in difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I've sung this song, but I'll sing it again
I have sung this song before, but I will sing it again
Of the place that I lived on the wild, windy plains
About my home on the windy plains
In the month called April, county called Gray
During the month of April in Gray County
And here's what all of the people there say
This is what the people there say
So long, it's been good to know ya
Goodbye, it has been nice knowing you
This dusty old dust is a-gettin' my home
The dust is causing me to leave my home
And I've got to be driftin' along
I must leave and continue moving
A dust storm hit, and it hit like thunder
A dust storm came suddenly and forcefully
It dusted us over, and it covered us under
It covered us with a lot of dust
Blocked out the traffic and blocked out the sun
The dust storm blocked traffic and sunlight
Straight for home, all the people did run
Everyone ran straight home
We talked of the end of the world, and then
We discussed the end of the world, and then
We'd sing a song and then sing it again
We sang songs repeatedly
We'd sit for an hour and not say a word
We would sit in silence for an hour
And then these words would be heard
And then we would hear these words
Sweethearts sat in the dark and sparked
Couples sat in the dark and flirted
They hugged and kissed in that dusty old dark
They showed affection while surrounded by dust
They sighed and cried, hugged and kissed
They expressed their emotions with hugs and kisses
Instead of marriage, they talk like this
They talked about alternatives to marriage
Now, the telephone rang, and it jumped off the wall
Suddenly, the telephone rang loudly
That was the preacher, a-makin' his call
It was the preacher calling
He said, "kind friend, this may the end
The preacher warned that the end may be near
And you've got your last chance at salvation of sin"
This is your last opportunity for salvation
The churches was jammed and the churches was packed
The churches were full of people
And that dusty old dust storm blowed so black
The dusty storm was so dark
Preacher could not read a word of his text
The preacher could not read his text due to the dust
And he folded his specs, ad' he took up collection
The preacher put away his glasses and collected donations
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Woody Guthrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind