Countin' The Blues
Ma Rainey Lyrics


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Layin' in bed this mornin' with my face turned to the wall
Layin' in bed this mornin' with my face turned to the wall
Trying to count these blues so I could sing 'em all

Memphis, Ramport, Beale Street set 'em, free
Memphis, Ramport, Beale Street set 'em, free
Graveyard, 'Bama Bound, Lord, Lord, come from Stingaree
Lord sittin' on the Southern gonna ride all night long
Lord sittin' on the Southern gonna ride all night long
Downhearted, Gulf Coast--they was all good songs

Lord, 'rested at midnight; jailhouse made me loose my mind
Lord, 'rested at midnight; jailhouse made me loose my mind
Bad Luck 'n' Boll-Weevil made me think of old Moonshine

Lord, goin' to sleep now for mama just got bad news




Lord, goin' to sleep now for mama just got bad news
To try to dream away my troubles, countin' these blues

Overall Meaning

In Ma Rainey's song "Countin' the Blues," the lyrics depict the struggle of a singer trying to capture the essence of the blues. The song begins with the singer laying in bed with their face turned to the wall, attempting to count the blues so they could sing them all. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to fully capture what the blues is all about and express it through song.


The second verse mentions Memphis, Ramport, and Beale Street, all significant locations in the development of blues music. The addition of the phrase "set 'em free" adds to the idea that the singer is trying to fully understand the blues and express it through their own music. Additionally, the mention of Graveyard and 'Bama Bound implies emotions of despair and confinement, adding to the known theme of blues music.


The third verse mentions the Lord sitting on the Southern, perhaps referencing the trains that would transport blues musicians across the country. The line "Gulf Coast--they was all good songs" highlights the significance and popularity of blues music in the Southern United States. The fourth verse mentions how the singer was in jail and how Bad Luck 'n' Boll-Weevil made them think of old Moonshine. These references to negative aspects of life add to the emotional depth of the song.


Finally, the last verse mentions how the singer is going to sleep, trying to dream away their troubles while countin' these blues. This suggests that the singer is finding solace in the music and using it to cope with their problems.


Overall, "Countin' the Blues" explores the depth and complexity of the blues as a genre and its potential for expressing the struggles and experiences of African Americans.


Line by Line Meaning

Layin' in bed this mornin' with my face turned to the wall
I woke up feeling defeated and downtrodden


Trying to count these blues so I could sing 'em all
I'm trying to put all these negative feelings into a song


Memphis, Ramport, Beale Street set 'em, free
The cities and streets I've been to have given me inspiration for my music


Graveyard, 'Bama Bound, Lord, Lord, come from Stingaree
The tough times and struggles I've faced have influenced my music as well


Lord sittin' on the Southern gonna ride all night long
I have faith that there's a greater power looking over me as I continue on this musical journey


Downhearted, Gulf Coast--they was all good songs
My songs may be sad and depressing, but they still have meaning and value


Lord, 'rested at midnight; jailhouse made me loose my mind
My time spent in jail was a low point in my life and affected me deeply


Bad Luck 'n' Boll-Weevil made me think of old Moonshine
Some of my past experiences with bad luck and hardship remind me of darker times involving illegal activity


Lord, goin' to sleep now for mama just got bad news
I'm going to try to escape my troubles through sleep, but in reality, they'll still be there when I wake up


To try to dream away my troubles, countin' these blues
I'm using my music as a way to cope and alleviate some of the pain and hardship in my life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: J. MAYO WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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