Black & Blue
Brad Byrd Lyrics
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Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The lyrics to Brad Byrd's song "Black & Blue" speak of a deep pain that seems to be coming from every direction. The singer is lying in a cold and empty bed with a head full of pain, feeling as low as an old man named Ned. The singer has always been black and blue, and there is no joy or companionship to be found in his life. Even a mouse has fled from his house. He may be white on the inside, but his face shows the world a different story. Life is a constant source of thorns, and his heart is torn. The singer has only one question: What did he do to be so black and blue?
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I am alone in my bed, which is uncomfortable and depressing.
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I am experiencing physical pain and discomfort, which makes me feel worn out and exhausted.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am questioning why I am being treated poorly and experiencing hardship based on my race or skin color.
No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness or social connections in my life.
Even the mouse ran from my house
My situation is so bad that even a small, insignificant creature is avoiding me.
All my life through I've been so black and blue
This negative treatment and hardship has been a constant in my life.
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
Although I may have good intentions or qualities, my skin color still leads to mistreatment and difficulties in life.
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My emotions and struggle are visible through my facial expressions.
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I feel completely abandoned and hopeless. Life is painful and difficult.
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
My spirit is broken by the constant mistreatment and I question the very purpose of my existence.
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I wonder how my life will conclude, with no social support to help me through.
My only sin is in my skin
I have done nothing wrong except for being born with a certain skin color, which leads to unjust treatment and difficulty in life.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I continue to question why I am being treated so poorly and experiencing so much difficulty based on something I have no control over.
Tell me, what did I do?
I plead for an explanation or reason for my mistreatment and difficulty.
What did I do? What did I do?
I keep repeating my question in hopes of understanding why I am being mistreated.
Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I continue to seek an explanation or reason for my difficulty based on my skin color.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I end the song with the same question, still searching for understanding and an explanation for my experience.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY BROOKS, ANDY RAZAF, FATS WALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind