Buddy Guy's song "How Long Blues" is a blues standard that has been covered by many artists over the years. The lyrics depict a story of heartbreak and longing for a lost love. The song begins with the repetition of the line "How long, how long, has that evening train been gone?" This line refers to the departure of a train, symbolizing the departure of the singer's loved one. The repetition emphasizes the lingering pain and the sense of longing for their return. The next lines express the singer's emotional turmoil. They hear the whistle of the train, but they cannot see it. Deep within their heart, they feel an aching pain that represents the heartbreak caused by the separation. The following verses describe the singer's desperate attempts to find their lost love. They mention the desire to "holler like a mountain jack" and call their baby back from the mountain. Despite their efforts, they realize that their lover is with someone else, deepening their blues and causing them more distress. The lyrics also touch upon the contrast between the beauty of nature and the lack of material wealth. They express the ability to see grass growing on a hill but not on a dollar bill, indicating the singer's struggles and lack of prosperity in their life. The second-to-last verse mentions the singer's travels to Georgia and Tennessee, perhaps in search of their lost love. They express a sense of finality, suggesting that the person listening should "look them over" as it might be the last time they are seen. Finally, the lyrics end with a metaphorical statement. The brook running into the river, which then flows into the sea, represents the singer's hope of reuniting with their lover. However, if they don't find them, they feel that a train will metaphorically run into them, symbolizing the destruction of their hopes and dreams. Overall, "How Long Blues" explores the theme of heartbreak, yearning, and the struggle to find love once again. The lyrics encapsulate the pain of separation and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it, a common theme in traditional blues music.
