Black and Blue
Teddy Buckner Lyrics
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Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The lyrics of Teddy Buckner's song "Black and Blue" talk about the pain and suffering of a person who is discriminated against because of the color of their skin. The first stanza describes the physical discomfort that the singer is feeling, with a cold and empty bed and a headache that makes them feel like "old Ned." The second stanza talks about how the singer has been ostracized from society, with no joys or company in their life. Even the mouse runs away from their house, highlighting the loneliness and isolation that they feel. The chorus repeats the central question of the song: "What did I do to be so black and blue?"
The third stanza reveals that the singer is white on the inside, but this doesn't help them escape the racism of society. They cannot hide what is on their face, and their forlornness is like a thorn in their life. The fourth and final stanza adds a note of despair, with the singer wondering how their life will end, as they have no friends and their only sin is the color of their skin. The song ends with a repetition of the central question, "What did I do to be so black and blue?"
Overall, "Black and Blue" is a powerful testament to the pain and suffering that racism inflicts upon its victims. The lyrics are simple but effective, using vivid imagery to convey the isolation, loneliness, and despair of the singer. The song remains a haunting reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and discrimination.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
My bed is uncomfortable, and as a result, I cannot sleep
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I have a headache that makes me feel like I am ancient
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am struggling to understand why I have experienced hardship and mistreatment throughout my life
No joys for me, no company
I live a lonely life without any happiness or companionship
Even the mouse ran from my house
I am so isolated that even a small creature like a mouse has no desire to stay near me
All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have endured a lifetime of mistreatment and pain
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
My inner self is pure, but it does not change how I am perceived in society
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My physical appearance reveals my difficult life and struggles
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I feel hopeless and unhappy. Life is full of difficulties and pain
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am filled with emotional pain and wonder why I was even brought into this world
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Although I am emotionally wounded, it does not change the way anyone else sees me
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My physical appearance still reflects my struggles and pain
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I am unsure of my future, and I have no one to rely on
My only sin is in my skin
The only thing that makes me different and mistreated is the color of my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Once again, I cannot understand why I am experiencing this mistreatment and pain
Tell me, what did I do?
I am pleading for an explanation or reason for my difficulties
What did I do? What did I do?
I am increasingly desperate for an answer to my struggles
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I am begging for an explanation for why I have suffered throughout my entire life
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Once again, I am questioning why I have been mistreated and hurt for so long
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind