Blues in the Night
Nocturnal Melancholy: Unveiling the Heartache in Billy Eckstine's Blues
Lyrics
My mama done tol' me,
Introduction to the advice given by the speaker's mother.
When I was in knee pants,
Recollection of being a young boy when this advice was imparted.
My mama done tol' me, Son!
Reiteration of the maternal advice about women.
A woman'll sweet talk
Women may use charm and flirtation.
And give ya the big eye;
They may show interest.
But when the sweet talkin's done,
Once the charm ends, women may reveal a different side.
A woman's a two face
Women can present conflicting personas, worrying and uncertain.
A worrisome thing
They can cause distress.
Who'll leave ya t'sing
Leaving one to sing about their sorrows.
The blues in the night
Summarizing the emotional turmoil caused by women's dual nature.
Now the rain's a-fallin',
Setting the scene with rain falling.
Hear the train a-callin'
Imagery of a distant train's sound.
Whoo-ee (my mama done tol' me)
Recollection of maternal advice amid the soundscape.
Hear that lonesome whistle
Noticing a forlorn train whistle.
Blowin' `cross the trestle,
Describing the train's whistle across the bridge.
Whoo-ee (my mama done tol' me)
Reiteration of maternal advice amidst the atmospheric sounds.
A whoo-ee-duh-whoo-ee, ol' clickety clack's
Onomatopoeic representation of the train's rhythm.
A-echoin' back the blues in the night
The train's echo emphasizes the sadness of the night.
The evenin' breeze'll start the trees to cryin'
Personification of nature - the evening breeze and the moon.
And the moon'll hide its light
Symbolic disappearance of light, reflecting emotional darkness.
When you get the blues in the night
Connection between emotional distress and the night.
Take my word, the mockin' bird'll
Metaphorical mention of a mockingbird singing a sorrowful song.
Sing the saddest kind o' song
The bird reflects the sadness in the surroundings.
He knows things are wrong and he's right
Acknowledgment of the bird's understanding of the situation.
From Natchez to Mobile,
Geographical references emphasizing the widespread nature of this experience.
From Memphis to St. Jo,
Various locations affected by these emotions.
Wherever the four winds blow,
Indication of the prevalence of emotional turmoil.
I been in some big towns,
Personal experience in big towns.
An' heard me some big talk,
Hearing grandiose but ultimately false claims.
But there is one thing I know
Despite the claims, the speaker understands the truth.
A woman's a two face,
A worrisome thing
Reiteration of the dual nature of women causing worry.
Who'll leave ya t'sing the blues in the night.
Resulting in singing about sorrows.
My mama was right,
Acknowledgment of the wisdom in the maternal advice.
There's blues in the night.
Confirmation of the presence of emotional distress at night.
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