Birth Of The Blues  
The Rat Pack Lyrics


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Oh, they say some people long ago
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
They heard the breeze in the trees
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!

Overall Meaning

The Rat Pack's song "Birth Of The Blues" is a song that celebrates the creation of the blues genre. The lyrics describe how people long ago were searching for a new sound that they could make their own. They started with just the rhythm and began swaying to and fro, not knowing what to use. They then heard the breeze in the trees singing weird melodies and made that the start of the blues.


Then, the song describes how a downhearted frail in jail started wailing and that was integrated into the blues. They took a new sound from a whippoorwill out on a hill, pushed it through a horn until it was worn into a blue note, and then they nursed and rehearsed it until they could deliver the news that the Southland gave birth to the blues. The song demonstrates how blues music is a unique combination of different sounds and experiences, and how it originated from a fusion of different sources.


Overall, the song is a homage to the blues genre and its origins. It shows how blues music is a fusion of different sounds and experiences and how it was born from a particular time and place. This song celebrates that diversity and uniqueness and pays homage to the deep roots of the blues.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, they say some people long ago
According to popular belief, individuals in the past were searching for a new type of music.


Were searching for a different tune
They were seeking a distinct melody.


One that they could croon
A song that they could sing in their own personal style.


As only they can
They wanted to perform in a way that was unique to them.


They only had the rhythm
At first, the only element of music they had was the beat.


So they started swaying to and fro
They began to move their bodies rhythmically.


They didn't know just what to use
They were unsure of what other musical elements to include in their creation.


That is how the blues really began
This is the origin story of the blues.


They heard the breeze in the trees
They listened to the sound of wind in the leaves.


Singing weird melodies
The patterns of the wind were interpreted as musical notes, but they were unconventional.


And they made that the start of the blues
This experimental method of creating music became the foundation of the blues genre.


And from a jail came the wail
A sad shout came from a prison cell.


Of a down-hearted frail
The person who screamed was emotionally broken.


And they played that
This cry was interpreted as music.


As part of the blues
It was incorporated into the repertoire of blues songs.


From a whippoorwill
The call of a bird known as a whippoorwill was heard.


Out on a hill
This bird's song was heard in a rural area.


They took a new note
The bird's call was interpreted as a unique musical sound.


Pushed it through a horn
The sound was played through a musical instrument called a horn.


'Til it was worn
This sound was repeated until it was familiar to the musicians.


Into a blue note
This sound was transformed into a specific musical note characteristic of the blues genre.


And then they nursed it, rehearsed it
They practiced playing this new sound until they could perform it well.


And gave out the news
They spread the word about this new musical innovation.


That the Southland gave birth to the blues!
Thus, the genre of blues originated in the southern region of the United States.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: B.g. Desylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@laracroft3718

You can’t fake real friendship. They loved each other. True class 🥰

@u.s.m.c.fewproudthemarines2987

So true friend

@vasilii6417

Yep. Beautiful!

@stuntmanstu1

I didn’t know Johnny Carson could sing. Lol

@mariethompson4237

Pure love.

@byronlippe

P

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@TheSheer96

There was more talent in these 6 minutes than in the last 30 years on radio...

@mikkelbreiler8916

Sad but true.

@philliptarver8197

And any other medium.

@trishlangford5773

So, so right. 😊😊😊😊😊

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