'Deed I Do
Hines Earl 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 Hines Earl's song 'Deed I Do' express a feeling of isolation and despair that comes from being judged and discriminated because of one's skin color. The first verse is a description of physical and emotional pain that the singer is experiencing. The use of the imagery of a cold, empty bed with hard springs and feelings of pain in the head likened to "old Ned" creates an allusion to the experience of oppression that African Americans were going through. The chorus "What did I do to be so black and blue?" is a plea to understand why one is treated unfairly and judged for something beyond their control. The singer feels excluded from society and has no hope for companionship, as even a mouse ran from their house. The repetition of the line "all my life through I've been so black and blue" emphasizes the longevity of the discrimination and the deep impact it has had on the singer.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's identity crisis, stating that although they are "white inside," their external appearance is what matters to society. The singer is resigned to their fate and sees life as "just a thorn," with their heart being "torn" from the constant hurt they experience due to their skin color. The line "why was I born?" is a reflection of the deep pain and hopelessness the singer feels. In the final verse, the singer reiterates their feeling of loneliness and how their skin color is the only reason for their isolation. The plea "tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?" is a plea for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
My bed is uncomfortable and I feel very lonely.
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I'm experiencing physical pain and discomfort.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm wondering why I'm being mistreated because of my race.
No joys for me, no company
I don't have any happiness or companionship in my life.
Even the mouse ran from my house
Even the animals avoid me and my home.
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Throughout my entire life, I've been mistreated because of my race.
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
My personality and character are not reflected in my skin color.
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I can't change what I look like on the outside.
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I feel very sad and alone, and life is very difficult.
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I'm questioning why I was brought into the world just to suffer.
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I'm worried about how my life will turn out, and I don't have anyone to rely on.
My only sin is in my skin
The only thing I've done wrong is being born with a certain skin color.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I still don't understand why I'm being treated unfairly because of my race.
Tell me, what did I do?
I'm pleading for an explanation for why I'm being mistreated.
What did I do? What did I do?
I keep asking the same question, trying to understand why I'm being mistreated.
What did I do? What did I do?
I'm desperate for an answer to my question.
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm still seeking an explanation for the mistreatment I've received because of my race.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I still don't understand why my race has caused me to be treated unfairly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HARRY BROOKS, ANDY RAZAF, FATS WALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind