Black Rhythm
Harmony of the Bayou: Cab Calloway's Enchanting Black Rhythm Tale
Lyrics
Down in Louisiana
Down in Louisiana refers to a location, setting the scene for the narrative.
There's a grand piano-playing man;
Describes a skilled pianist in Louisiana.
He knows that they can't kid him
Suggests the pianist is confident and cannot be deceived.
'Cause he's got hot rhythm in his hand.
Highlights the pianist's ability to produce exciting rhythm.
The blues that he'll compose will thrill you
The blues he composes will deeply affect the listener.
From your head to your toes.
The impact of the blues will be felt throughout the body.
He called his song "Black Rhythm,"
The pianist names his composition "Black Rhythm."
'Cause his black hands did it 'neath the moon,
Attributes the creation to the pianist's skilled black hands.
The keys he plays on sweetly,
Emphasizes the pleasing sound of the keys he plays.
And you're left completely in a swoon.
The music leaves the listener in a state of enchantment.
The melancholy strum
Refers to a melancholic strum, combining with the blues.
Mixed with the rum-tum of melodious blues.
Mentions the mix of melancholy and rhythmic blues.
When he plays the blue note,
Focuses on the impact of playing the blue note in the music.
And adds a new note,
Introduces the concept of adding a new note to the music.
You'll think that he wrote a symphony.
Listeners might mistake the composition for a symphony due to its richness.
But he's just improvising
Highlights the improvisational nature of the pianist.
On a southern mammy melody.
References a southern mammy melody in the improvisation.
You'll quit your pouting,
Suggests the music can lift one's spirits, ending any sulking.
And start a'shouting,
Listeners will enthusiastically respond to the music.
No need in doubting he knows the keys.
Expresses confidence in the pianist's knowledge of musical keys.
He can lay on the white ones,
Indicates the pianist's ability to play both white and black keys skillfully.
Can play on the black ones with ease.
Emphasizes the ease with which the pianist navigates the piano keys.
The way he plays Black Rhythm
Refers to the captivating style of the pianist in playing Black Rhythm.
Makes the gang stick with him all night long,
The captivating performance keeps the audience engaged all night.
Forget the hour is late,
Listeners lose track of time due to the captivating music.
They hear him syncopate his mournful song.
Highlights the pianist's skill in syncopation in a mournful tune.
A'humming like the breeze,
Describes the pianist humming like the breeze.
A' strumming lightly on those ivories.
Illustrates the pianist strumming lightly on the piano keys.
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