[Verse 1]
Every time it rains, Lord, I run to my window
All I do is just wring my hands and moan
And listen to that thunder, Lord
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
A 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 2]
Somebody said they thought they saw you roarin' down in Reno
With a big ol' man from San Anton
They tell me I'm a fool, I pine for you, but 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
A 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, so I guess I could get stoned
And let the past paint pictures in my head
And kill a fifth of Thunderbird, Lord, and try to write a sad, 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
A 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
Tell me, baby, now why you been gone so long
Why You Been Gone So Long was written by Mickey Newbury.