How Long Has This Been - Carmen McRae

'Neath the stars, at bazaars

Often I’ve had to caress men

Five or ten, dollars then, I’d collect from all those yes-men

Don’t be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men

Darling, can’t you see?

'Twas for charity?

Though these lips have made slips, it was never really serious

Who’d have thought, I’d be brought to a state that’s so delirious?

I could cry salty tears

Where have I been all these years?

Little wow, tell me now

How long has this been goin' on?

There were chills up my spine

And some thrills I can’t define

Listen sweet, I repeat

How long has this been goin' 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 goin' on?

Kiss me twice, once more, thrice, make it four

What a break, for Heaven’s sake

How long has this been goin' on?