[Verse 1]
Every time it rains, Lord, I run to my window
All I do is just wring my hands and moan
Listen to that thunder roar
Can't you hear that lonesome wind moan?
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
[Chorus]
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
You been gone so long now
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
The wolf is scratchin' at my door, Lord, Lord
Well, I hear that lonesome wind moan
Tell me baby, why you been gone so long
[Verse 2]
Somebody said they thought they saw you roaring down in Reno
With a big ole man from San Antone
They tell me I'm a fool to pine for you, well, what do they know?
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
[Chorus]
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
You been gone so long now
Tell me baby now why you been gone so long
The wolf is scratchin' at my door, Lord, Lord
And I can hear that lonesome wind moan
Tell me baby now why you been gone so long
[Verse 3]
Ain't nothin' I wanna do, Lord, I guess I could get stoned
Let the past paint pictures in my head
Kill a fifth of Thunderbird and try to write a sad song
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
[Chorus]
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
You been gone so long now
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
The wolf is scratchin' at my door, Lord, Lord
And I can hear that lonesome wind moan
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
Yeah, tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
[Outro]
The wolf is scratchin' at my door Lord
Lord, I can hear that lonesome wind moan
Tell me baby, now why you been gone so long
Why You Been Gone So Long was written by Mickey Newbury.
Why You Been Gone So Long was produced by Dennis Linde & Marlin Greene & Russ Miller.