How Long (MIR 110) Fred Walker, Curt Braffet

OPENER

Four ladies chain, take it over and back
Like a bluebird with his heart removed
Lonely as a train
Circle left
I've run just as far as I can run
Left allemande and weave
If I never see the good old days, shining in the sun
I'll be doin' fine and then some

FIGURE

Heads/sides promenade here and take it halfway around
Down the middle square thru go 4
You take it four hands and then
Do the right & left thru, veer left and ferris wheel once more
Come on and square thru three hands round you fly
Swing your corner, promenade her you do
What you get is not quite what you choose

MIDDLE BREAK

Four ladies chain, take it over and back
"How long, how long"? Women will you weep?
Circle left
"How long, how long"? Rock yourself to sleep
Left allemande and weave
"How long, how long"? Muddy river runs so deep

ALTERNATE FIGURE

Sides face, everybody grand square
I've been doin' time in this lonesome prison
Where the sun don't shine
Just outside the freedom river runs
Sides square thru count me 4
Out there in that shiny night
With blood hounds on your mind
Swing and promenade for me
Don't you know it's the same, sad situation

CLOSER

Four ladies chain, take it over and back
Tell me "How long, how long"? Women will you weep?
Circle left
"How long, how long"? Rock yourself to sleep
Left allemande and weave
"How long, how long"?
Well, good night baby, rock yourself
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself
Circle
Ba ba ba bye-bye baby, rock yourself to sleeeeeeep

Note: Listen to Fred and Curt on the called side for slightly different movements on Figure 3 and an alternate Figure 4 that allows the use of more of the original lyrics.