Black Jack Blues
David Lyrics

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Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
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

I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
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?

Overall Meaning

David A. Saylor's song "Beaten Black and Blue" is a performance that highlights the struggles of being black and the discrimination that comes with it. The song starts off with the singer describing his distressing state and his cold empty bed, which signifies his loneliness. He talks about the pains in his head and how he feels beaten up, a clear indication of the challenges he has faced in his life.

The lyrics discuss his experiences of being a black man in a predominantly white society. He mentions that he is white inside, but it doesn't seem to help his case because he cannot hide his black skin. He feels forlorn, and life seems to be like a thorn in his flesh that causes pain and sorrow. His heart is torn, and he questions why he was even born into a world that discriminates against him.

The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and a longing for a friend or companion who would understand his plight. He asks again and again what he did to deserve this discrimination and abuse, and the repetition of the phrase "what did I do?" adds to the desperation and pain associated with his situation.

Overall, "Beaten Black and Blue" is a poignant performance that expresses the emotional turmoil and anguish associated with being a victim of racism and discrimination. The song is a call for change and a plea for empathy and understanding from individuals who may not have experienced the same struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I am alone in my bed with no one to keep me warm, and my bed feels uncomfortable and uninviting.

Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I am experiencing a lot of mental and emotional pain that is making me feel like an old, worn-out person.

What did I do to be so black and blue?
I don't understand why I am suffering so much and being treated badly, especially because I haven't done anything wrong.

No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness or pleasure in my life, and I am completely alone without any friends or companionship.

Even the mouse ran from my house
Even the smallest and most insignificant creatures are afraid of me and want nothing to do with me.

All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have been struggling and suffering my entire life with no relief or respite from my pain and turmoil.

I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
Although I am a good person on the inside, my external appearance and skin color are causing me to be discriminated against and mistreated.

Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I cannot conceal or change my physical appearance, which is leading others to judge and mistreat me unfairly.

I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I am extremely sad and hopeless, and life just feels like a constant source of pain and difficulty.

My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am deeply hurt and confused about why I have to suffer so much in life and why I was even brought into this world.

How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I am unsure about how my life will turn out and I have no one to turn to for help or support.

My only sin is in my skin
The only thing that I am guilty of is having a different skin color or appearance from others, which is causing me to be mistreated and oppressed.

What did I do? What did I do?
I am repeatedly asking myself what I could have done or changed to avoid the mistreatment and discrimination that I am facing.

Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I am pleading for an explanation or justification for why I am suffering so much without any apparent reason or fault of my own.

What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am still searching for an explanation or understanding of why I am being mistreated and discriminated against in this way.

Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@jameswhitney2450

5y↑7

Love hearing this man's music. So different from what's on "radio" (streaming services) today. The musicianship, the lyrics, it's American and complicated and usually sad and yet you want to hear more.

@donaldok2550

52w

Americana at its best. One of a kind and love this music, as he’s the maestro!

@Tubedog8

5y↑7

I heard this song on the radio years ago (Public Radio) and so I bought Dave's Blackjack David album. The music is so beautiful and the story is very old from the 1800s or before. It appalled me and enchanted me at the same time! The Album is Great. The Song "California Snow " is hard to forget.

@jimantonellis8653

3y↑1

Same thing that happened to me. I heard it on public radio, got home from work, went to the radio web site and called up the play list. Definitely going to buy the album.