Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Out where the creek turns shallow and sandy
And the moon comes skimming away the stars
The wind in the mesquite comes rushing over the hilltops
Straight into my arms, straight into my arms
I'm riding hard carrying a catch of roses
A fresh map that I made
Tonight I'm going to get birth naked and bury my old soul
And dance on its grave, and dance on its grave
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
Yeah, now it's here
Well, my daddy he was just a stranger
Lived in a hotel downtown
And when I was a kid, he was just somebody
Somebody I'd see around, somebody I'd see around
Well, now down below and pulling on my shirt
Yeah, I got some kids of my own
If I had one wish in this god forsaken world, kids
Let your mistakes would be your own
Yeah, your sins would be your own
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
And now it's here
Out 'neath the arms of Cassiopeia
Where the sword of Orion sweeps
It's me and you, Rosie, crackling like crossed wires
And you breathing in your sleep
Hear you breathing in your sleep
Well, there's just a spark of a campfire left burning
Two kids in a sleeping bag beside
Reach 'neath your shirt, lay my hands across your belly
Feel another one kicking inside
I ain't gonna fuck it up this time
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
And the moon comes skimming away the stars
The wind in the mesquite comes rushing over the hilltops
Straight into my arms, straight into my arms
I'm riding hard carrying a catch of roses
A fresh map that I made
Tonight I'm going to get birth naked and bury my old soul
And dance on its grave, and dance on its grave
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
Yeah, now it's here
Well, my daddy he was just a stranger
Lived in a hotel downtown
And when I was a kid, he was just somebody
Somebody I'd see around, somebody I'd see around
Well, now down below and pulling on my shirt
Yeah, I got some kids of my own
If I had one wish in this god forsaken world, kids
Let your mistakes would be your own
Yeah, your sins would be your own
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
And now it's here
Out 'neath the arms of Cassiopeia
Where the sword of Orion sweeps
It's me and you, Rosie, crackling like crossed wires
And you breathing in your sleep
Hear you breathing in your sleep
Well, there's just a spark of a campfire left burning
Two kids in a sleeping bag beside
Reach 'neath your shirt, lay my hands across your belly
Feel another one kicking inside
I ain't gonna fuck it up this time
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
It's been a long time comin', my dear
It's been a long time comin' but now it's here
Lyrics submitted by Comrade_Liar
Long Time Comin' Lyrics as written by Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
One of the best tracks off the new album. It's a tale of a no good father wanting a second chance and determined to make things right. Determined not to be like his own father anymore. The last verse just hammers me.
springsteen: the greatest