How Long Blues
Heartache's Journey: John Lee Hooker's Blues Tale
Lyrics
Standin' at the station when the train come by
Waiting at the station for the passing train
Deep down in my heart, baby, feel an achin' pain
Experiencing deep emotional pain or distress
How long, oh, baby, how long?
Asking how long a particular situation will last
Baby, how long, baby, how long
Repeating the question about the duration of absence
Has that evenin' train been gone?
Asking how much time has passed since the train departed
How long, oh, baby, how long?
Reiterating the inquiry about the duration of absence
If I could holler like a mountain jack
Expressing a wish to call out loudly like a mountain worker
I'd go up on the mountain, call my baby back
Desiring to summon their loved one back
How long, oh, baby, how long?
Repeating the question about the duration of absence
I could see the green grass
Observing the growth of grass on the hill
Growin' up on the hill
Noting the natural growth on the hill
But you can't see a green-black drawin' on a
Contrasting the visibility of natural beauty with the invisibility of a drawing on a dollar bill
On a dollar bill
Highlighting the lack of visibility of certain things, like a drawing on currency
Baby, how long?
Repeating the inquiry about the duration of absence
Baby, how long?
Reiterating the question about the duration of absence
How long, baby, how long
Asking again about the time since the train left
Has that evenin' train been gone?
Repeating the question about the duration of absence
Baby, how long, oh baby, how long?
Reiterating the inquiry about the duration of absence
Baby, how long, oh baby, how long?
Repeating the question about the duration of absence
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