Bye Bye Blackbird
Layton & Johnstone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 song "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Layton & Johnstone is a classic jazz tune that tells the story of a person who feels misunderstood and unloved in their current surroundings. The first line of the song, "No one here can love or understand me," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer is feeling isolated and alone, and even when they try to share their struggles ("Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me"), they are met with apathy or indifference.
In the chorus, the singer decides to leave their current situation behind and start fresh. They declare they will "pack up all my cares and woe" and "wing low" as they say goodbye to the blackbird, which is often used as a symbol of sorrow or difficulty. However, there is still hope for the singer as they believe there is someone waiting for them ("Where somebody waits for me/Sugar's sweet, so is she").
Overall, "Bye Bye Blackbird" is a bittersweet tune that speaks to the human experience of feeling disconnected and searching for connection. The song's message is both melancholic and optimistic, highlighting the importance of leaving behind negative influences to find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
No one here can love or understand me
I feel lonely and misunderstood by the people around me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Everyone I encounter tells me tales of their misfortune and it brings me down
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
I am leaving behind all of my worries and troubles, and beginning a journey with a heavy heart and low spirits
Bye, bye, blackbird
I bid farewell to the bird that represents my sadness and negativity
Where somebody waits for me
I have hope that someone out there is waiting for me and will understand me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
This person who waits for me is kind and sweet, just like sugar
No one here can love or understand me
Being in this place makes me feel unloved and misunderstood
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me
The people here continue to bring me down with tales of their misfortune
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
I ask that someone prepare a place for me to rest and wait, as I will be arriving later than expected
Blackbird, bye, bye
I say farewell once again to the bird that symbolizes my struggles and hardships
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORT DIXON, RAY HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
doug cowan
Fabulous. started collecting Layton and Johnston after finding this at a jumble sale in the 60s. The wind up gramaphone has broken so its great to hear it again.Will trawl them all. Are they available on cd ?
Keith Otis Edwards
Fine job of cleaning-up the sound. Your skill and effort is appreciated.