Rhapsody In Blue
The Billy May Orchestra Lyrics
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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
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 th' 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 o' 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
An' 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 o' 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
An' 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
The Billy May Orchestra's song "Rhapsody in Blue" is an instrumental piece, but the lyrics which accompany it are incredibly poignant. The opening lines explain that from a young age, the singer's mother warned her about men who sweet-talk and give the impression of being trustworthy and reliable, only to show their true colors and leave her to suffer. The theme of the lyrics is about heartbreak and feeling lost and alone, represented by the sounds of the rain falling and the train hooting in the distance. The mention of the mockingbird singing the saddest kind of song is a metaphor for how the singer feels at this moment.
The middle section of the lyrics describes how the same situation applies in different parts of America; big talk, big towns, but ultimately men are a "two-face" who will leave you to sing the blues in the night. The closing lines repeat the same message, that when the blues set in, they will be there to haunt you. The song is a melancholic tribute, painting a picture of the desolate feeling when reality sets in, and you find yourself alone.
Line by Line Meaning
My mama done tol' me
From a young age, my mother warned me
When I was in pigtails
When I was just a little girl
A man's gonna sweet-talk and give you the big eyes
Men often use charming words and seductive looks
But when the sweet-talking's done
When the charm wears off
A man is a two-face, a worrisome thing
Men can be deceptive and untrustworthy
Who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night
They will abandon you and leave you alone with your sorrows
Now the rain's a-fallin'
It's currently raining outside
Hear the train a-callin, "whoo-ee!"
Hear the sound of a train whistle blowing
Hear that lonesome whistle blowin' 'cross the trestle, "whoo-ee!"
Hear the sad and lonely sound of the train whistle echoing in the distance
A-whooee-ah-whooee ol' clickety-clack's
The sound of the train wheels clicking on the tracks
A-echoin' back th' blues in the night
The train's sounds seem to amplify the feelings of sadness and loneliness
The evenin' breeze'll start the trees to cryin'
The wind will make the trees rustle in a way that seems like they are weeping
And the moon'll hide it's light
The moon will become obscured by clouds, making the night even darker
When you get the blues in the night
When you're feeling down and lonely
Take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind o' song
The mockingbird will sing a mournful and pitiful melody
He knows things are wrong, and he's right
The bird can sense the sadness and knows that something is amiss
From Natchez to mobile,
From one place to another
From Memphis to St. Joe
From one city to another
Wherever the four winds blow
Anywhere the winds may take me
I been in some big towns
I've been to some large cities
An' heard me some big talk
I've heard a lot of boasting and bragging
But there is one thing I know
Despite all the talk, there is one truth I believe
A man's a two-face, a worrisome thing
Men can be deceitful and untrustworthy
Who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
They will abandon you with a deep sadness that echoes in the night
Yes the lonely, lonely blues in the night
This is a reference to the deep sadness and loneliness that can overtake you
Lyrics © 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