Blues in the Night
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics


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My mama done told me
When I was in pig tails
My mama done told me
Hon', a man's gonna sweet talk
And give you the big eye
But when the sweet talkin's done
A man is a two face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave you singin'
The blues in the night

Now the rain is fallin'
Hear the train a callin', whoo-ee
(My mama done told me)
Hear that lonesome whistle

Blowin' cross the trestle, whoo-ee
(My mama done told me)
A whoo-ee-duh-whoo-ee, clickety clacks
Echoin' back the blues in the night

The evening breeze will start the trees to cryin'
And the moonlight hides his light
When you get the blues in the night

Take my word, the mockin' bird will
Sing the saddest kinda song
He knows things are wrong and he's right
Whoo-ee, whoo-ee

From Natchez to Mobile
From Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow
I been in some big towns
I heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A man is a two face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night





Whoo-ee, whoo-ee
My mama was right, there's blues in the night

Overall Meaning

The song Blues in the Night is an old jazz tune that is performed by Rosemary Clooney. The verses of the song caution against possible heartbreak, the kind that may occur as a result of falling for a charming man. The vocalist mentions her mother's warning that men will deceive with smooth words and grand gestures, making promises that they may not keep in the end. A man, according to the singer, is a two-faced and worrisome creature, capable of leaving one with nothing but the blues in the night. The chorus further underscores that sentiment, affirming that the pained sensation of being let down by someone can feel all-encompassing and stretch from Natchez to Mobile, Memphis to St. Joe, and wherever the four winds blow.


The song's themes encompass the timeless idea of heartbreak and loneliness that comes with an unfulfilling relationship. The vocals begin with describing how the singer's mother warned her of charming men who will leave a woman broken-hearted in the end, reflecting the common notion that older women were the bearers of wisdom for younger folk. The song's message is clear - be careful who you fall in love with. The unfulfilling relationship can leave you with nothing but the blues in the night. The lyrical structure of the song has inspired several covers, including various jazz vocalists, instrumental versions, and even a version by composer Harold Arlen. Blues in the Night has become a timeless piece of classic American jazz.


Line by Line Meaning

My mama done told me
My mom warned me


When I was in pig tails
When I was a little girl


Hon', a man's gonna sweet talk
Sweet talker men


And give you the big eye
They might woo you with their looks and charm


But when the sweet talkin's done
Once they are finished talking sweetly


A man is a two face, a worrisome thing
Men often hide their true selves


Who'll leave you singin'
Leaving you feeling miserable


The blues in the night
Depressed and alone at night


Now the rain is fallin'
Now it's raining


Hear the train a callin', whoo-ee
Train whistle blowing


Hear that lonesome whistle
The noise of the train is sad


Blowin' cross the trestle, whoo-ee
The train sound echoes everywhere


A whoo-ee-duh-whoo-ee, clickety clacks
The train makes a unique sound


Echoin' back the blues in the night
The sound reflects the feelings of loneliness


The evening breeze will start the trees to cryin'
Wind makes the trees look like they're crying


And the moonlight hides his light
Moon is hidden, so it's dark


When you get the blues in the night
When you're depressed at night


Take my word, the mockin' bird will
Trust that the mockingbird will


Sing the saddest kinda song
Sing the most depressive song


He knows things are wrong and he's right
The bird feels the sadness is justified and knows what's wrong


From Natchez to Mobile
From one city to another


From Memphis to St. Joe
These are more towns that the singer has traveled to


Wherever the four winds blow
The singer has been all over


I been in some big towns
I've visited many cities


I heard me some big talk
People speak big words


But there is one thing I know
The singer has learned something


Whoo-ee, whoo-ee
Expressive outcry


My mama was right, there's blues in the night
My mom was right, feeling alone and sad at night




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Scott Free

My mama done tol' me
When I was in pigtails
My mama done tol' me
A man's gonna sweet-talk and give you the big eyes
But when the sweet-talking's done
A man is a two-face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night

Now the rain's a-fallin'
Hear the train a-callin, "whoo-ee!"
My mama done tol' me
Hear that lonesome whistle blowin' 'cross the trestle, "whoo-ee!"
My mama done tol' me
A-whooee-ah-whooee ol' clickety-clack's
A-echoin' back the blues in the night

The evenin' breeze'll start the trees to cryin'
And the moon'll hide it's light
When you get the blues in the night
Take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind of song
He knows things are wrong, and he's right

From Natchez to mobile
From Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow
I been in some big towns
And heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A man's a two-face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night

The evenin' breeze'll start the trees to cryin'
And the moon'll hide it's light
When you get the blues in the night
Take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind of song
He knows things are wrong, and he's right

From Natchez to mobile
From Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow
I been in some big towns
And heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A man's a two-face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
Yes, the lonely, lonely blues in the night



All comments from YouTube:

egmjag

Such a classy tune. The way she sings and the lyrics are so descriptive. I feel like I'm watching a TCM film noir movie especially when she describes the train's sounds. What happened? I thought we were evolving. Like a solid, classic American car with beautiful lines and well crafted, the music from this era seems to overshadow any music produced today.

John Jarou

agreed!

Janet Anderson

she's so versatile, this is so torchy and the 3 before this included a child's tune, a jazz combo and a soft ballad. i've never had one instance in one song where i couldn't understand the words. love her !

James Carson

Wow! That ending was unexpected! This is definitely the best version of this song. Originally by William Gillespie in 1941 originally titled as Hot Nocturne.

Katherine Antoinette

By far my favorite rendition of this song. Thanks for posting :)

nauort23

I like this, too. A lot of people either comically ham this one up or do it too sultry and serious. She walks that fine line.

Scott Free

My mama done tol' me
When I was in pigtails
My mama done tol' me
A man's gonna sweet-talk and give you the big eyes
But when the sweet-talking's done
A man is a two-face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night

Now the rain's a-fallin'
Hear the train a-callin, "whoo-ee!"
My mama done tol' me
Hear that lonesome whistle blowin' 'cross the trestle, "whoo-ee!"
My mama done tol' me
A-whooee-ah-whooee ol' clickety-clack's
A-echoin' back the blues in the night

The evenin' breeze'll start the trees to cryin'
And the moon'll hide it's light
When you get the blues in the night
Take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind of song
He knows things are wrong, and he's right

From Natchez to mobile
From Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow
I been in some big towns
And heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A man's a two-face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night

The evenin' breeze'll start the trees to cryin'
And the moon'll hide it's light
When you get the blues in the night
Take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind of song
He knows things are wrong, and he's right

From Natchez to mobile
From Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow
I been in some big towns
And heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A man's a two-face, a worrisome thing
Who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
Yes, the lonely, lonely blues in the night

Friends, Romans, counrry men, lend me your ears.

when I hear this, all I think of is the buzzard in the looney tunes cartoons. haha

Gillian Roberts

Such a brilliant song

gina houck

I only knew Dinah Shore's.But Rosemary Clooney had the voice to sing it, up front right to the rafters.WOW.Thank-You for posting it,I grew up in the 80s listening to this from my grandmom who raised me,I love Grievin and Hey Baby

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