How Long Has This Been Goin' On? Lyrics

'Neath the stars, at bazaars
Often I've had to caress men
Five or ten, dollars then, I'd collect from all those yes-men
Don't be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men

Darling, can't you see?
'Twas for charity?
Though these lips have made slips, it was never really serious
Who'd have thought, I'd be brought to a state that's so delirious?

I could cry salty tears
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now
How long has this been goin' on?

There were chills up my spine
And some thrills I can't define
Listen sweet, I repeat
How long has this been goin' on?

Oh, I feel that I could melt
Into heaven I'm hurled
I know how Columbus felt
Finding another world

Kiss me once, then once more
What a dunce I was before
What a break, for heaven's sake
How long has this been goin' on?

(spoken)
Kiss me twice, once more, thrice, make it four

What a break, for heaven's sake
How long has this been goin' on?
Song Info
Submitted by
elisheva On May 19, 2002
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Cover art for How Long Has This Been Goin' On? lyrics by Ella Fitzgerald

hmm ... after the line "What a break, for heaven's sake / how long has this been going on?" it goes into another verse:

I could cry salty tears where have I been all these years listen, you. tell me, do: how long has this been going on

what a kick! how I buzz! boy you click like no one does listen sweet, I repeat how long has this been going on?

oh, when in your arms I creep that divine rendezvous don't wake me if I'm asleep let me dream that it's true

kiss me twice, then once more that makes thrice, let's make it four what a break, for heaven's sake how long has this been going on


anyhow. this is one of gershwin's finest songs, and ella does it fantastically. I sang it at a concert once, and because I'm just a silly girl, I pointed at my boyfriend in the audience as I sang the line "Boy you click like no one does" ... and boy did HE turn about 75 shades of red. :)