Bye Bye Blackbird
Shaw Woody Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird
No one here can love or understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird
No one here can love or understand me
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
In Shaw Woody's song Bye Bye Blackbird, the singer is lamenting their current situation, feeling as though they are not loved or understood by anyone around them. They express how others seem to always give them hard luck stories and decide to pack up their cares and woes to move on. The phrase "winging low" gives the impression of someone leaving on a plane or flying away, seeking a new life. The repetition of "bye, bye, blackbird" reinforces the idea of leaving and starting anew.
The second verse offers hope for the singer. They mention that they have someone waiting for them, who is described as "sugar's sweet." This could refer to a romantic partner or simply someone who will be there to support and care for the singer. The singer seems to have found a reason to leave their old life behind and start fresh, implying that they believe they can find happiness and love in a new place.
Line by Line Meaning
No one here can love or understand me
I feel unloved and misunderstood by everyone around me.
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
People pity me and give me sad stories, adding to my misery.
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
I'm leaving my troubles behind and flying away with a heavy heart.
Bye, bye, blackbird
Farewell, dark and gloomy world.
Where somebody waits for me
I have hope that someone is waiting for me elsewhere.
Sugar's sweet, so is she
I imagine my beloved as sweet as sugar and eagerly waiting for me.
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Prepare my bed and leave the light on, I'll be coming home late tonight.
Blackbird, bye, bye
Farewell again, dark and gloomy world.
No one here can love or understand me
Repeating that I feel unloved and misunderstood by everyone around me.
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me
Repeating that people pity me and give me sad stories, adding to my misery.
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Repeating the anticipation of returning home late.
Blackbird, bye, bye
Final farewell to the dark and gloomy world before leaving for a better one.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C. Thompson
Woody Shaw is an amazing trumpeter and may be my #1 favorite. His artistic style, technical prowess and inventiveness are beyond compare. Plus, he plays the full range of the instrument with amazing control. Thanks for sharing this track Willie.
Kradomir Choukroutov
Very nice! I love the way the pianist re-plays Red Garland's intro on the legendary Miles Davis's version
Dat boi Kwesar
woody shaw siempre me ha parecido genial!!
Dylan Gatenby
This is fantastic.
Thanks for uploading!
Tony Tothe
Shaw is so under rated. I love his playing. Thanks for uploading this.
Juan Octavio Torija Aguilar
Entre los grandes: genial, versátil, telúrico, gozoso.
Brandon Conley
Woody quoting the hell out of Miles. I love it
Michael Smith
Wow! What a special sense of style, tone and dexterity.
Richard Stanmeyer
nice quote at just after 4:30, anyone know the name? Im blanking on the name. great rendition!
Etienne Wittich
parisian thoroughfare by bud powell