Been Down So Long lyrics

* spirit version (1998) *

Sun sets ’cross the ocean
I’m a thousand miles from anywhere
My pocketbook and my heart both just got stolen
And the sun act like she don’t even care
The wind blows cold when you reach the top
It feels like someone’s face is stuck to the bottom of my shoe
I got a plastic jesus, a cordless telephone for every corner of my room
Got everybody but you telling me what to do

But I’ve been down so long
Ooh, it can’t be longer still
I’ve been down for so long
That the end must be drawing near

I look to everybody but me to answer my prayers
’til I saw an angel in the bathroom who said she saw no one
Worth saving anywhere

And a blind man on the corner said it’s simple, like flipping a coin
Don’t matter what side it lands on if it’s someone else’s dime

But I’ve been down so long
Ooh, it can’t be longer still
We’ve been down for so long
That the end must be drawing near

I take a trip, I catch a train, I catch a plane
I got a ticket in my hand
And then a man takes my money
And like cattle we all stand

But we’ve been down so long
Ooh, it can’t be longer still
We’ve been down for so long
The end must be...
I know the end must be...
Oh, I know the end must be drawing near

Bridge repeat / scat section


* live version (pre-1997) *
Transcribed by adam l.

The sun sets across the ocean
I’m a thousasnd mile from anywhere
And my pocketbook in my heart
Both just got stolen
And the sun act like she don’t even care
The wind blows cold when you reach the top
Feels like somebody’s face is stuck to the bottom of my shoe
Got a plastic jesus, a cordless telephone ..? ? .. corner of my room
Got everybody but you tellin’ me what to do
***
Well I’ve been down so long
It can’t be that much longer still
And I’ve been down for so long
That the end must be drawing near
***
I looked to everybody but me
To answer my prayers
Until I found an angel in the bathroom
Who said she didn’t see anybody who was savin anywhere
And the blind man said, "simple... like flipping a coin -
Don’t matter what side it lands on
So long as it’s somebody else’s dime"
Cause if you’re the top of the bottom
It all feels the same
We live out of fear if we’re too rich or we’re too poor
Fuess all I can do is museter up some change
And little bit of faith
And take some dignity when I walk through this door

*** (chorus)

Gonna take a trip
Catch a train
Got a ticket in my hand
And then a fat man takes my money
And like cattle we all stand
I’m just a faceless body lost in this vast and worthless sea
In a thousand people I do not know
But really they are no different from me
They all have passion
They all have fear
They all have intense confusion
And no sweet moments that are clear
They all have aspirations
High hopes and dreams
And are really that alone like me
***
We’ve been down so long
It can’t be that nmuch longer still
We’ve been down so long
That the end must be...
The end must be...
The end must be drawing near