Black and Blue
Harris Gene Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

The lyrics to Harris Gene's song "Black and Blue" describe the pain and suffering of a person who is constantly facing discrimination and prejudice because of their skin color. The person feels isolated and alone, with no joy or company in their life. They are white inside, meaning that their character and inner self is not defined by their skin color, but their external appearance makes them a target for discrimination.

The lyrics also allude to the physical and emotional pain that the person is experiencing. The reference to a cold and empty bed with hard springs and pains in the head evoke feelings of discomfort and sleeplessness. The mention of a mouse running away from the person's house could symbolize how even the smallest creatures are repelled by their presence due to societal perceptions of blackness.

The repeated question "What did I do to be so black and blue?" highlights the frustration and confusion that the person feels about why they are facing this discrimination. They cannot hide their skin color, so they are forced to suffer in silence. The final line, "Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?" is a plea for understanding and empathy from society, who should be striving towards a world of equality and justice.

Line by Line Meaning

Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
My bed is empty, cold, and uncomfortable like a slab of lead

Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I'm suffering from severe headaches and feel exhausted like an old man

What did I do to be so black and blue?
I wonder why I need to face so much despair and pain in life, what did I do to deserve this?

No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness or people around me for comfort

Even the mouse ran from my house
I'm so miserable that not even a mouse wants to stay with me

All my life through I've been so black and blue
I've experienced this suffering and misery all my life

I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
Despite having a white soul, my skin color doesn't protect me from discrimination

Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My sadness and pain are visible to others, and I can't conceal them

I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I feel hopeless and lost. Life is just a source of constant pain for me

My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I'm shattered inside. I question my very existence and purpose of life

I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
My internal wounds and agony don't justify or alleviate the external discrimination I face

How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I don't have anyone to share my pain, and I don't know how this suffering will end

My only sin is in my skin
I'm only guilty of having a different skin color, and that's my curse

What did I do to be so black and blue?
I still can't comprehend why I deserve such misery and agony in life

Tell me, what did I do?
Please tell me what I did wrong.

What did I do? What did I do?
I'm desperate to know why I'm being treated this way

What did I do? What did I do?
I'm repeating my question because I can't find an answer

What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm pleading with anyone who can answer why I'm facing racial discrimination and pain.

What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm still searching for an answer to this question.

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

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@loducaondrums

1y↑2

Gene Harris is my favorite piano player… I just think his ability to communicate emotion through the piano is second to none. He can make very simple songs sing so bright and manages to give me goosebumps every time he pushes the envelope. He can make jazz and blues really rock without loosing any of the sensibilities each style possesses.

What a gem

@okiepita50t-town28

31w

He was the best blues/jazz player ever.

@Mccheed

36w↑1

Absolute class!!

@philhanlon4339

Fortunate enough to see Gene on multiple occasions, always with an extremely talented group. We even had the good fortune to meet his daughter on one occasion.