Beans and Cornbread
Louis Jordan Lyrics


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Beans and Cornbread
Beans and Cornbread had a fight
Beans knocked Cornbread out of sight
Cornbread said, "Now that's alright
Meet me on the corner tomorrow night"
"I'll be ready, I'll be ready tomorrow night"
That's what Beans said to Cornbread
"I'll be ready tomorrow night




Overall Meaning

The song "Beans and Cornbread" by Louis Jordan talks about a quarrel between two staple foods in the African-American cuisine: beans and cornbread. According to the lyrics, the two foods had a fight where beans ended up winning by knocking cornbread out of sight. However, cornbread was resilient and challenged beans to a rematch the next night, to which beans agreed. The lyrics suggest that these two foods are so integral to the African-American culture that they are personified and given human-like characteristics.


There is a deeper meaning to this song beyond just the literal fight between beans and cornbread. It can be interpreted as a representation of the black community and their resilience through adversity. Despite hardship and challenges, the black community always bounces back and stands up for themselves. As cornbread said, "That's alright, meet me on the corner tomorrow night," which can be seen as a message of hope and determination to keep fighting and not let adversity defeat them.


Line by Line Meaning

Beans and Cornbread
Beans and Cornbread, both food items and likely a metaphor for something else, are the subject of this song


Beans and Cornbread had a fight
There was a conflict or disagreement between two parties represented by Beans and Cornbread


Beans knocked Cornbread out of sight
Beans emerged victorious or proved their point by incapacitating Cornbread


Cornbread said, 'Now that's alright'
Cornbread acknowledged defeat or the legitimacy of Beans' argument


Meet me on the corner tomorrow night
Cornbread challenges Beans to a rematch or continuation of the conflict in the future


"I'll be ready, I'll be ready tomorrow night"
Beans accepts the challenge and promises to be prepared for the next conflict


That's what Beans said to Cornbread
Beans specifically told Cornbread that they will be prepared for the next conflict


"I'll be ready tomorrow night"
Beans reiterates their promise to be prepared for the next conflict




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: F MOORE, FREDDIE CLARK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@raquelelise

My father used to sing this song every time he would make beans, rice and cornbread and do this lil dance that made me laugh. I miss him so much. May he continue to Rest In Peace 💝

@starlaestrella9903

I'm ready to get mines fixed I have no butter sad face

@MichaelWilliams-oe5rn

I used to sing this for my daughter's too. Lol they loved it. It was fun

@musicloverlondon6070

He sounds like he was a great dad and that's a lovely memory to have of him.
🎶

@kafenwar

My grandfather used to sing the riff of this song on a regular basis back in the 70s and 80s, and I didn't even know what he was singing about until I saw Spike Lee's Malcolm X movie.

@513villain5

RIP 🙏🏽

7 More Replies...

@javonjavon6465

No one believed me that this was an actual song.......

@sagittarius420cheefie

Right, just like everybody swore their Grandmother created the "I love you, a bushel and a peck" song. Lmao!!!! It was by Doris Day.

@cinnamoomilk

What about 'Grandma's Playing the Numbers"

@neddyconstant5816

Watching this at 6:48PM
Tues 12/24/19

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