Color Me Blue
Rebecca Butler and the Richards Lyrics
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Willie and Laura Mae's sweet child
Willie and Laura Mae's sweet child
She's so hungry she cries and cries
Play me some blues
Rich man he comin' down the road
Should Willie rob him or let him go?
Play me some blues
Flowers on their sweet child’s grave
Flowers on their sweet child’s grave
A tender life in a cold, hard place
Play me some blues
Willie and Laura Mae's sweet child
Willie and Laura Mae's sweet child
I dreamed I heard her singin’ in the sweet by and by
Play me some blues
Richard Helm
The lyrics to the song "Color Me Blue" by Rebecca Butler and the Richards tell a poignant story of struggle, loss, and longing. The song revolves around the central characters of Willie and Laura Mae, who are the parents of a sweet, hungry child. The child's hunger is so intense that she cries incessantly. This illustrates the hardship and despair of a family facing poverty and lack of resources.
As the song progresses, a rich man appears on the road. The lyrics pose a moral dilemma to Willie, questioning whether he should rob the rich man or let him go. This line reflects the desperation that comes from living in poverty and the temptation to resort to unethical means for survival.
Moving forward, the lyrics mention the presence of flowers on the child's grave. This heartbreaking image emphasizes the reality of a tender life lost in a harsh, unforgiving world. It alludes to the pain and sorrow experienced by Willie and Laura Mae, who have had to bury their beloved child.
Finally, the lyrics conclude with an intriguing dream sequence where the singer hears the sweet child singing in the afterlife, in the "sweet by and by." This dream symbolizes hope, comfort, and a yearning for a better future.
Overall, "Color Me Blue" captures the raw emotions and struggles of individuals who face poverty, loss, and the complexities of moral decision-making in dire circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Willie and Laura Mae's sweet child
A child belonging to Willie and Laura Mae, who were likely a loving and caring couple
She's so hungry she cries and cries
The child is in great need for food and is expressing her distress through constant crying
Rich man he comin' down the road
An affluent individual is approaching in the distance
Should Willie rob him or let him go?
Willie is faced with the moral dilemma of deciding whether to commit a robbery against the wealthy individual or to allow him to continue unharmed
Flowers on their sweet child’s grave
Flowers are placed on the grave of the couple's deceased child, symbolizing their love and remembrance
A tender life in a cold, hard place
The child's existence was characterized by vulnerability and sensitivity in a harsh and unforgiving environment
I dreamed I heard her singin’ in the sweet by and by
The singer had a dream where they imagined hearing the child's joyful singing in a future paradise or heavenly realm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard Helm
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind