Blues standard first credited to
Leroy Carr, though probably much older. Other interesting covers of this song have been done by
Groove Holmes,
Memphis Slim and
Muddy Waters,
The Grateful Dead,
Sonny Terry, and
Eric Clapton.
Carr's version goes:
How long? Baby how long
Has that evening train been gone?
How long? How long? Baby how long?
When I stood at the station. Watch my baby leaving town
Feeling disgusted, nowhere could she be found
How long? How long? Baby how long?
I can hear the whistle blowing, But I cannot see no train
And it's deep in my heart baby there lies an achin pain
How long? How long? Baby how long?
Sometimes I feel so disgusted and I feel so blue
That I hardly know what in this world, baby just to do
How long? How long? Baby how long?
And if I could holler like I was a mountainjack
I'd go up on the mountain. I'd call my baby back
How long? How long? Baby how long?
And if someday you gonna be sorry that you done me wrong
But it will be too late baby I will be gone
For so long, so long, so long.
My ming gets a ramblin I feel so bad
Thinking about the bad love that I have had
For how long? How long? Baby how long?