Bye Bye Blackbird
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane Lyrics
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Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird
No one here can love or understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird
No one here can love or understand me
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
The lyrics to "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane convey a sense of loneliness and the desire for escape. The singer feels misunderstood and unloved by those around them, as indicated by the lines "No one here can love or understand me" and "Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me." The phrase "pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low" expresses the singer's intention to leave their troubles behind and take flight, literally or metaphorically. The repetition of "Bye, bye, blackbird" further emphasizes this longing for departure and new beginnings.
The second stanza introduces the possibility of finding solace and companionship elsewhere, with the line "Where somebody waits for me, sugar's sweet, so is she." This suggests that the singer may have a specific person or place in mind where they hope to find love and understanding. The final lines of the song reaffirm the singer's determination to leave their current situation behind, with the line "Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight" suggesting that the singer is ready to embark on their journey.
Line by Line Meaning
No one here can love or understand me
The people around me are unable to truly love or comprehend who I am
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
They constantly share their tales of misfortune with me
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
I'm leaving behind all of my worries, ready to fly away into the unknown
Bye, bye, blackbird
Farewell, blackbird (symbolizing the end of a cycle or a parting)
Where somebody waits for me
There is someone patiently waiting for my arrival
Sugar's sweet, so is she
This person, like sugar, is sweet and pleasant
No one here can love or understand me
The people around me still struggle to truly love or comprehend who I am
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Once again, I am overwhelmed by their tales of misfortune
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Prepare my resting place and illuminate the path, as I will be arriving later tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
Blackbird, farewell (reiterating the parting or the end of a cycle)
Bye, bye, blackbird
Farewell, blackbird (reinforcing the previous sentiment)
Where somebody waits for me
There is still someone patiently waiting for my arrival
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Once again, emphasizing the sweetness and pleasantness of this person
Bye, bye, blackbird
Another farewell to the blackbird (signifying a final goodbye)
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind