These are the blues
Nothin' but blues
Oh, they say some people long ago
Were searching for a different tune
One that they could croon
As only they can
They only had the rhythm
So they started swayin' to and fro
They didn't know just what to use
This is how the blues really began
They heard the breeze in the trees
Singin' weird melodies
And they made that the start of the blues
And from a jail came the wail
Of a down-hearted frail
And they played that as a part of the blues
From a whippoorwill, way upon a hill
They took a new note
Pushed it through a horn
Until' it was worn into a blue note
And then they nursed it, they rehearsed it
And then send out that news
That the Southland gave birth to the blues
They nursed it, then they rehearsed it
And then send out that news
That the Southland they gave birth to the blues