Blues in the Night
Embracing Life's Two Faces: "Blues in the Night" Revelation
Lyrics
My mama done tol' me
Expresses the beginning of advice or wisdom received from the speaker's mother.
When I was in knee pants
Recalls a time from childhood, emphasizing the longevity of the advice given.
My mama done tol' me
Reiterates the mother's advice, suggesting its lasting impact on the speaker.
Son, a woman'll sweet talk
Highlights the deceptive nature of some women who use sweet talk to manipulate.
And give ya the glad eye
Describes the initial allure and charm that a woman may use.
But when the sweet talkin's done
Warns that sweet talk is not genuine, and there's more to a woman than meets the eye.
A woman's a two face
Characterizes women as having dual personalities, with the potential for deceit.
A worrisome thing
Emphasizes the worrying and troubling aspect of relationships with women.
Who'll leave ya to sing
Indicates the likelihood of being abandoned or betrayed, leading to sorrow.
The blues in the night
Describes the emotional aftermath of such experiences as "blues in the night."
Now the rain is fallin'
Introduces a scene where rain is falling, setting a somber tone.
Hear the train a callin'
References the sound of a distant train, adding to the melancholy atmosphere.
Whoo-ee, my mama done tol' me
Recalls the mother's warning in the context of the current gloomy setting.
Hear that lonesome whistle
Draws attention to the forlorn sound of a lonely train whistle.
Blowin' cross the trestle
Describes the whistle blowing across the trestle, enhancing the sense of isolation.
Whoo-ee, my mama done tol' me
Reiterates the mother's advice in the context of the train's mournful sound.
A whoo-ee-duh-whoo-ee,
---
Ol' clickety clack
Describes the rhythmic sound of a moving train, contributing to the blues theme.
Echoin' back blues in the night
Connects the train's echoes to the pervasive feeling of "blues in the night."
Evenin' breeze'll start
Introduces an evening breeze that intensifies the emotional atmosphere.
The trees to cryin'
Personifies trees crying, enhancing the sense of sadness in the environment.
And the moon'll hide its light
Depicts the moon hiding its light, symbolizing the concealment of hope during despair.
When you get the blues in the night
Relates the emotional state of having the "blues in the night" to adverse conditions.
Take my word, the mockin' bird'll
Introduces a mockingbird singing a sorrowful song, reinforcing the theme of sadness.
Sing the saddest kind of song
Points to the bird's awareness of the wrongness in the world, echoing the human experience.
He knows things are wrong
Emphasizes the bird's correctness in recognizing and expressing the sadness.
And he's right
Suggests the inevitability of facing adversity and the understanding of its presence.
From Natchez to Mobile
Names various locations, emphasizing the universality of the mother's advice.
From Memphis to St. Joe
References cities along with the idea that the advice applies wherever one may go.
Wherever the four winds blow
Expresses the widespread nature of experiences that lead to the "blues in the night."
I been in some big towns
Reflects on the speaker's exposure to big cities and the accompanying boastful talk.
And heard me some big talk
Notes the speaker's experience of hearing grandiose talk in urban settings.
But there is something I know
Acknowledges the speaker's understanding of a fundamental truth about women.
A woman's a two face
Reiterates the duality of women, emphasizing their potential for causing sorrow.
A worrisome thing
Restates the troublesome nature of relationships with women.
Who'll leave ya to sing
Reiterates the likelihood of being abandoned or betrayed, leading to singing the blues.
The blues in the night
Summarizes the recurring theme of experiencing sadness and heartache in relationships.
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