My baby's been away so long Now the shades of evening are gone My baby's been away so long The abyss lists the letters I sent Fortunes gained and portions spent I hear an echo in a light blue dawn And I go see but I know she is gone My baby's been away so long You can take whatever food that you want I'm not hungry now that my honey is gone Some inconceivable, medieval wrong Has cast itself upon my home I am the hair of an Ishmaelite You are the feather of a bird in flight My baby's been away so long Now the shades of morning have come My baby's been away so long