How Long has this been going on? by Geo & Ira Gershwin

New York nostalgic ...

How Long has this been going on? [1927] by George Gershwin - lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Musical arrangement by Gary Chapman.

Richard Lalli, Baritone
Gary Chapman, Piano


Photos of Gramercy Park and Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, New York, by Paul Whiton.


As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
I was kissed by my sister, my cousins, and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
So my dear I swore,
"Never, never more!"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now, I find I was blind,
And oh my, how I lost out!

I could cry salty tears,
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now:
How long has this been going on?

There were chills up my spine,
And some thrills I can't define.
Listen sweet, I repeat:
How long has this been going on?

Oh, I feel that I could melt,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.

Kiss me once, then once more.
What a dunce I was before.
What a break, for Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?

Dear, when in your arms I creep,
That divine rendez-vous,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Let me dream that it's true!

Kiss me twice, then once more.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
What a break, For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this... been going ... on?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• George Gershwin
• Ira Gershwin
• Richard Lalli
• Gary Chapman
• Paul Whiton
• New York City
• yt:quality=high

[valaree123]

I love george gershwin because i'm in school and i'm learning about him. He is great!

[oakroom48]

Glad you liked it :)

[papidou1934]

...bravo Barbara its a U.S. lieder of the great Georges seem Debussy....

[oakroom48]

Thank you for commenting, Claude:) So glad you liked it!

[oakroom48]

Thanks for commenting:)

[superdooperstupor]

A charming song and performance, and a gem for all Gershwin fans on YouTube.

Many thanks. I know well all of the New York locales shown in the video, Many nice memories.