So hard to answer future's riddle
When ahead is seeming so far behind
So hard to laugh a child-like giggle
When the tears start to torture my mind
So hard to shed the life of before
To let my soul automatically soar

But I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Sew up the wounds of evolution
And the now starts to get in my way
So what if life's a revelation
If the mind speaks of only today
So real, the pain of growing in soul
Of climbing up to reality's goal

But I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Long promised road
Trail starts at dawn
Carries on to the season's ending
Long promised road
Flows to the source, gentle force
Never ending, never ending

So hard to lift the jeweled sceptre
When the weight turns a smile to a frown
So hard to drink of passion nectar
When the taste of life's holding me down
So hard to plant the seed of reform
To set my sights on defeating the storm

So I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah

Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah

Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you


Lyrics submitted by Bobo192

Long Promised Road Lyrics as written by John Iii Rieley Carl Dean Wilson

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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Long Promised Road song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    The song, I believe, has to do with Carl taking the reins in a sense. When Brian was not able to actively lead the band in the studio, Carl inherited that role. It is about overcoming obstacles and also confronting challenges. This is a beautiful, smart song that Carl considers his first "real" composition.
    vivianrexuton August 27, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    It's too bad nobody has commented on this, it's a really underrated song, and as always, Carl sings beautifully. Everytime I listen to the words, half of it sounds like mumbo jumbo to me for some reason (even though I can understand the words), but it seems pretty obvious that it has to do with overcoming difficult hurdles and fighting off the obstacles in life, or something like that. At any rate, people should search for this song on youtube, there's a really sweet music video type thing they filmed for it, with Carl.
    astroboton August 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song isn't "socially conscious" or anything like some songs were supposed to be on Surf's Up, but it's cool because it does give you much more of a feeling of a narrative compared to most Beach Boys songs, and it's really cool. Carl sounds pretty proud here.
    stupidname111on December 22, 2013   Link

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