Like a bluebird with his heart removed
Lonely as a train
I've run just as far as I can run
If I never see the good old days shining in the sun
I'll be doing fine and then some
How long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
I've been doing time in a lonesome prison, where the sun don't shine
Just outside the freedom river runs
Out there in that shiny night, with bloodhounds on your mind
Don't you know it's the same sad situation
How long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
Everybody feels all right
You know I heard some poor fool say
Everyone is out there on the loose
Well, I wish I lived in the land of fools and no one knew my name
But what you get is not quite what you choose
How long, how long
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
How long, how long
The muddy river runs so deep
How long, how long
Goodnight baby, rock yourself to sleep
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself to sleep
B-b-bye bye baby, rock yourself to sleep
Lonely as a train
I've run just as far as I can run
If I never see the good old days shining in the sun
I'll be doing fine and then some
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
Just outside the freedom river runs
Out there in that shiny night, with bloodhounds on your mind
Don't you know it's the same sad situation
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
You know I heard some poor fool say
Everyone is out there on the loose
Well, I wish I lived in the land of fools and no one knew my name
But what you get is not quite what you choose
Woman will you weep
How long, how long
Rock yourself to sleep
The muddy river runs so deep
Goodnight baby, rock yourself to sleep
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself to sleep
B-b-bye bye baby, rock yourself to sleep
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This was written by J.D. Souther, who also co-wrote some of the Eagles' biggest hit songs including "Best of My Love", "Heartache Tonight" and "New Kid In Town." Songfacts.com have some interesting information about this and other tracks from Long Road Out Of Eden.
From an interview with JD Souther about the song The Eagles had a hit last year with a version of your song "How Long," which was written back in the 1970s about the Vietnam War. How do you feel that it's still relevant?
A: I'm delighted they did the song, and grateful for radio responding to it and people listening to it and music fans thinking it was relevant. But I'm sorry that it's necessary. I wish there wasn't a war anymore. Most people wish that. I don't know that there's a single soul that wants to be at war... I'm maintaining a kind of guarded optimism. I don't see any upside to being a pessimist. By choice, I'm an optimist.
I love this song, it reminds me of the Eagles' older material.
I don't understand why here are so few comments.
They kinda explained it on "60 Minutes" (CBS News), I think it's how their fans grow and live their life with their songs, thus how long. Watch it here: http://www.last.fm/music/Eagles/+videos/3233786
I... Didn't get any of that out of this song. Although, I agree with TrainCrash up here; it really is classic Eagles style! Amazing song!
What it looks like to me is basically what just about every other Eagles song is about: love, either the good or bad side. You can tell just from the chorus. "How long, how long, woman, will you weep?" Like talking to a woman who's thrown herself at plenty of men and just falls apart every time it doesn't work out. The last line in the chorus emphasizes that. In saying "Rock yourself to sleep," he's basically saying she doesn't deserve the sympathy anymore.
The second verse fits too perfectly in with that. In a nutshell, he's sayin' it's the same situation between being in prison and being in love. "Don't you know it's the same sad situation." Basically, it can be a prison being trapped in love. That's just what it looks like to me.
This song is about a PoW in Vietnam. Line Women will you weep is his loved one at home lonesome prison - is the pow camp
Plus when it was written was in the aftermath of the vietnam war...