Three O'clock Blues
B. B. King & Bobby Blue Bland Lyrics

Well now, it's three o'clock in the morning
It's currently 3am and the singer is awake and unable to sleep.

And I can't even close my eyes.
The singer is so burdened with worry that they cannot relax enough to fall asleep.

Three o'clock in the morning
The repetition of the first line emphasizes the late hour and creates a sense of urgency.

And I can't even close my eyes.
The repetition of the second line further emphasizes the artist's insomnia and heightened emotional state.

Can't find my baby
The artist's distress is due to the fact that their romantic partner is missing and cannot be located.

And I can't be satisfied.
The singer's desire to find their partner and resolve the situation is so strong that nothing else will bring them peace of mind.

I've looked all around me
The singer has searched extensively for their partner.

And my baby, she can't be found.
Despite their efforts, the artist has been unable to locate their missing partner.

I've looked all around me, people,
The addition of 'people' implies that the artist has asked others for help or advice in their search.

And my baby, she can't be found.
Once again, the repetition underscores the artist's despair and desperation.

You know if I don't find my baby,
The singer acknowledges that the situation is dire and may have catastrophic consequences if unresolved.

People, I'm going down to the golden ground.
The 'golden ground' could be interpreted as a metaphor for death, suggesting that the artist views life without their partner as unbearable and not worth living.

Goodbye everybody,
The singer is saying farewell to the world and those around them in the event that they cannot resolve their situation and must follow through on their previous threat.

I believe this is the end.
The singer is resigned to their fate and believes that they will not be able to recover from the loss of their partner.

Oh, goodbye everybody,
The repetition of 'goodbye everybody' emphasizes the finality of the situation and the hopelessness the singer feels.

I want you to tell my baby,
In the event of their death, the artist is requesting that their message be passed on to their missing partner.

Tell her please, please forgive me,
The artist believes they have committed a wrong or acted in a way that may have caused their partner to leave, and is asking for forgiveness in their final moments.

Forgive me for my sins.
The singer is asking for absolution for any transgressions they may have committed and seeking peace before their life ends.