Meaning and Lyrics of How Long Will I Love You by Jon Boden

Song Lyrics meaning of How Long Will I Love You by Jon Boden

About Jon Boden

Jon Boden is a British folk musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer and main arranger of the progressive folk powerhouse Bellowhead.

Born in 1977 in Chicago but raised in Winchester, England, Boden began his musical journey playing fiddle and singing in his teens. He studied Medieval Studies at Durham University, where he further honed his musical skills.

Boden’s career took off in the early 2000s when he formed the duo Spiers & Boden with melodeon player John Spiers. Their innovative approach to traditional English folk music quickly gained attention in the folk scene.

In 2004, Boden co-founded Bellowhead, which became one of the most influential and successful folk bands of the 21st century. The band’s energetic live performances and genre-bending arrangements earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase.

Alongside his work with Bellowhead, Boden has pursued a successful solo career, releasing albums such as “Songs from the Floodplain” and “Afterglow”. His solo work often explores dystopian themes and blends folk traditions with contemporary songwriting.

While “How Long Will I Love You” is not one of Boden’s original compositions (it was written by Mike Scott of The Waterboys), his interpretation of folk and popular songs has been a significant part of his artistic output.

Boden’s contributions to folk music have been widely recognized, including multiple BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His innovative approach to traditional music and his role in popularizing folk among younger audiences have cemented his status as a key figure in the 21st-century folk revival.

Meaning of How Long Will I Love You by Jon Boden

“How Long Will I Love You” by Jon Boden is a touching and heartfelt song that explores the concept of eternal love and devotion. The lyrics depict a strong commitment to love that transcends time and space.

In the verses, the singer questions the duration of their love, using beautiful imagery to express the depth of their feelings. The repetition of phrases such as “How long will I love you” and “As long as stars are above you” emphasizes the enduring nature of the affection being described. The mention of seasons and following a plan suggests a sense of natural progression and inevitability in their love.

The chorus further reinforces the idea of everlasting love by comparing it to the unending expanse of the sea washing up on the sand, a metaphor for the constancy and reliability of their feelings.

The lyrics delve into the complexities of love, exploring the nuances of desire, wanting, holding, and giving. The singer expresses a willingness to love, want, hold, and give for as long as they live, highlighting the selfless and unfaltering nature of their commitment.

The repetition of the question “How long will I love you” towards the end of the song, followed by the reassurance of loving for as long as stars exist, conveys a sense of determination and deep emotional connection that surpasses any obstacles or limitations.

Overall, “How Long Will I Love You” is a beautiful and poetic portrayal of enduring love, showcasing a profound and unwavering dedication to the beloved that resonates with listeners on a deeply emotional level.

Lyrics of How Long Will I Love You by Jon Boden

Verse 1
How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I can
How long will I need you
As long as the seasons need to
Follow their plan

Chorus
How long will I be with you
As long as the sea is bound to
Wash up on the sand

Verse 2
How long will I want you
As long as you want me to
And longer by far
How long will I hold you
As long as your father told you
As long as you are

Chorus
How long will I give to you
As long as I live through you
However long you say
How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I may

How long will I give to you
As long as I live through you
However long you say
How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I may

Discography Jon Boden

Glad Christmas Comes

Release: 2023-11-24
Label: Hudson Records
1. Ashen Bowl
2. Glad Christmas Comes
3. Beautiful Star
4. King of the Birds
5. The Good Doctor
6. In The Bleak Midwinter
7. Remember Oh Thou Man
8. Mount Zion (While Shepherds)
9. The Holly and the Ivy
10. I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas
11. Winter Grace
12. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In
13. Shepherds Arise
14. Jingle Bells
15. Fairytale of New York
16. Glad Christmas Comes (reprise)
Tracklist Collapse

Last Mile Home

Release: 2021-03-05
Label: Hudson Records
1. Old Straight Track
2. Into the Garden
3. Honeysuckle Halo
4. Cinnamon Water
5. Dream of the Ocean
6. Under the Bough
7. Lay My Body Down
8. Flash Flood
9. Walking Song
10. Come Out Wherever You Are
11. The Path Is Winding
12. Last Mile Home
Tracklist Collapse

Rose in June

Release: 2019-11-01
Label: Hudson Records
1. Rose in June
2. All Hang Down
3. Leviathan
4. Seven Bonnie Gypsies
5. Beating the Bounds
6. Sweet Thames Flow Softly
7. Hounds of Love
8. Going Down to the Wasteland
9. Ruin Reel
10. Rigs of the Time
11. We Do What We Can
12. Carnival Hornpipe
Tracklist Collapse
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Glad Christmas Comes

Release: 2023-11-24
Label: Hudson Records
l
1. Ashen Bowl
2. Glad Christmas Comes
3. Beautiful Star
4. King of the Birds
5. The Good Doctor
6. In The Bleak Midwinter
7. Remember Oh Thou Man
8. Mount Zion (While Shepherds)
9. The Holly and the Ivy
10. I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas
11. Winter Grace
12. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In
13. Shepherds Arise
14. Jingle Bells
15. Fairytale of New York
16. Glad Christmas Comes (reprise)
Tracklist Collapse

Last Mile Home

Release: 2021-03-05
Label: Hudson Records
l
1. Old Straight Track
2. Into the Garden
3. Honeysuckle Halo
4. Cinnamon Water
5. Dream of the Ocean
6. Under the Bough
7. Lay My Body Down
8. Flash Flood
9. Walking Song
10. Come Out Wherever You Are
11. The Path Is Winding
12. Last Mile Home
Tracklist Collapse

Rose in June

Release: 2019-11-01
Label: Hudson Records
l
1. Rose in June
2. All Hang Down
3. Leviathan
4. Seven Bonnie Gypsies
5. Beating the Bounds
6. Sweet Thames Flow Softly
7. Hounds of Love
8. Going Down to the Wasteland
9. Ruin Reel
10. Rigs of the Time
11. We Do What We Can
12. Carnival Hornpipe
Tracklist Collapse
0
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