The Birth Of The Blues
Sammy Davis Lyrics
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Were searching for a different tune
One that they could croon
As only they can
They only had the rhythm
So they started swaying to and fro
They didn't know just what to use
That is how the blues really began
Singing weird melodies
And they made that the start of the blues
And from a jail came the wail
Of a down-hearted frail
And they played that
As part of the blues
From a whippoorwill
Out on a hill
They took a new note
Pushed it through a horn
'Til it was worn
Into a blue note
And then they nursed it, rehearsed it
And gave out the news
That the Southland gave birth to the blues!
In Sammy Davis Jr.'s "The Birth of the Blues," the lyrics describe the origin of the blues genre. The song suggests that the blues began as a result of people searching for a new type of musical rhythm that they could croon. Without knowing where to start, they started swaying to and fro, creating a rhythm as they went along. They heard the breeze in the trees and the strange melodies it carried, and that became the basis for the blues. A downhearted individual in jail also contributed to the blues when they wailed, and the whippoorwill's new note from the hill made the blues genre come to life. Finally, they rehearsed and perfected the blues, leading to the news that the Southland had given birth to this new genre of music.
This song describes the unique qualities of the blues genre while shedding light on its origin. Sammy Davis Jr. does an excellent job of bringing this story to life, creating a sense of nostalgia for a time long gone. With his powerful voice and unique style, he paints a vivid picture of the birth of the blues, adding his own flavor to this timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, they say some people long ago
Legend has it that many moons ago
Were searching for a different tune
They were on the hunt for a unique sound
One that they could croon
Something they could croon and sing along to
As only they can
In a way that only they know best
They only had the rhythm
All they could really work with was the rhythm
So they started swaying to and fro
They began swaying back and forth to the beat
They didn't know just what to use
They weren't sure what instruments to use for this new sound
That is how the blues really began
And that's how the blues were truly born
They heard the breeze in the trees
Listening to the rustling leaves on the trees
Singing weird melodies
Which seemed to hum strange tunes
And they made that the start of the blues
They took this as a cue to create the start of the blues
And from a jail came the wail
A sad and mournful cry came from a prison cell
Of a down-hearted frail
From a prisoner who was terribly heartbroken
And they played that
They took that sound
As part of the blues
And incorporated it as a component of the blues
From a whippoorwill
From a singing bird known as a whippoorwill
Out on a hill
Sitting upon a hilltop
They took a new note
They found a new sound
Pushed it through a horn
They transferred it through a horn instrument
Til it was worn
Played and replayed until it became a familiar tune
Into a blue note
Transforming it into a note recognizable as blues music
And then they nursed it, rehearsed it
They refined and perfected the tune
And gave out the news
And spread the word
That the Southland gave birth to the blues!
That the blues music was born from the Southland culture!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: B.G. DESYLVA, LEW BROWN, RAY HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spanishinquisition5032
Oh.... they say some people along ago
Where lookin' for a different tune
One that they could croon
As only they can
They only had the rhythm
So, they started swingin' to and fro
They didn't know just what to use
But this is how the blues
Really began
This is the way the blues began
They... heard... the breeze
Through the trees
Singing weird melodies
And they named that
Just the start of the blues
Then from a jail
There came a wail
From a down-heart frail
And they played that
As a part of the blues
Now from a whippoorwill
Sittin' high on a hill
They took a new note
And they pushed it through a horn
Until it was worn into a blue note
And they nursed it
Yeah, rehearsed it
And then gave out the news
That the South Land
Really gave birth to the blues
From a whippoorwill
High on a hill
They grabbed a new note
And they pushed it through a horn
Until it was worn into a blue note
And then they nursed it
Oh, rehearsed it
And then gave out the news
That the South Land
Gave birth to the blues
Everybody they nursed it
Rehearsed it
And gave out the news
That, that old South Land
Gave birth, birth to the blues
@matthewtino8364
I'm 32 and I LOVE this kind of music! Him, Frank, and Dean were and still are thee greatest in my opinion!
@theking-nz1ut
Sammy was an all round entertainer and he was the Original Greatest showman. We miss you Sammy 💖
@karlhungus5554
High praise coming from The King -- another supreme entertainer!
@itsiqaa788
Timeless Melody brought me here :) this is such a good song
@lisbetsoda4874
Such a big voice from such a small guy. He was fantastic
@damon334
Nobody sings this song the like Sammy, Thank you.
@dionerhodes1308
Ooohhh just phenomenal..!💯👏💖🤩🥰🙏
@Shedgie
How I wish I could’ve been born earlier just to be able to see and hear these artists lovely voices with my own ears and eyes. Man I also wish there were more modern singers like this
@Hugecannonballs
Buble is the closest
@petemag869
@@Hugecannonballs fax