The Birth of the Blues
The Birth of Melancholic Harmony: Unraveling the Origins of the Blues
Lyrics
These are the blues
Introduction to the theme of the blues.
Nothing but blues
Emphasizing the exclusive focus on blues in the song.
Oh, they say some people long ago
Reference to people in the past searching for a new musical expression.
Were searching for a diffrent tune
Describing the quest for a distinct melody.
One that they could croon
Desiring a melody suitable for crooning.
As only they can
Highlighting a unique ability to sing in a particular way.
They only had the rhythm
Having only the rhythm initially.
They started swaying to and fro
Beginning to move and dance to the rhythm.
They didn't know just what to use
Uncertainty about the musical elements to use.
That is how the blues really began
Declaring the origin of the blues from this uncertainty.
They heard the breeze in the trees
Hearing nature's sounds influencing the melody.
Singing weird melodies
Weird melodies from natural elements inspire.
And they made that the start, the start of the blues
Choosing these melodies as the starting point for the blues.
And from a jail came the wail
From a jail, the sorrowful cry of a person.
Of a down-hearted frail
Describing the person as downtrodden or sad.
And they played that
Using the cry as an integral part of the blues.
As part of the blues
Reiterating the incorporation of human sorrow into the blues.
From a whippoorwill
Reference to a bird with a distinctive call.
Way up on a hill
Located high on a hill, emphasizing its sound carrying far.
They took a new note
Introducing a new musical note derived from nature.
Pushed it through a horn
Converting the note into music through a horn.
Until it was worn
Continuously playing the note until it evolves.
Into a blue note
Transforming the note into a distinctive blue note.
And then they nursed it
Nurturing and caring for the evolving blues.
They rehearsed it
Rehearsing and perfecting the blues.
And then sent out that news
Announcing the birth of the blues to the world.
That the Southland gave birth to the blues
Attributing the blues' origin to the southern region.
They nursed it
Continued care and perfection of the blues.
And they rehearsed it
Further rehearsal and improvement of the blues.
That the Southland they gave birth to the blues
Reiteration of the southern region's contribution to the blues.
Comment