Afro Blue
The Robert Glasper Experiment Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear a hand stroke on a drum
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night, afro blue
Elegant boy, beautiful girl
Dancing for joy, delicate whirl
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night, afro blue
Two lovers dance face to face with undulating grace
They gently sway then slip away to some secluded place
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night, afro blue
Dream of a land my soul is from
I hear a hand stroke on a drum
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night afro blue
Elegant boy, beautiful girl
Dancing for joy, delicate whirl
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night afro blue
Two lovers dance face to face with undulating grace
They gently sway then slip away to some secluded place
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night afro blue
The lyrics in Afro Blue by The Robert Glasper Experiment evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a homeland that the singer's soul is from. This sentiment is expressed through the line "Dream of a land my soul is from," which creates a dreamlike quality. The repetition of the phrase "shades of delight cocoa hue" in the chorus is a reference to the beauty of dark skin, which is "rich as the night" and reminiscent of the color of cocoa. The use of the phrase "afro blue" in the chorus also connects the song to the African-American experience and culture.
The second stanza describes an elegant boy and beautiful girl dancing joyfully with a delicate whirl. This imagery paints a picture of a romantic and joyous moment between two people, which is then described further in the third stanza. The lovers' dance is described as having "undulating grace," which shows a sense of fluidity and ease between them. The final line of the chorus, "rich as the night afro blue," emphasises the beauty and richness of their dance and the moment they are sharing.
Overall, the song Afro Blue is a celebration of the beauty and richness of African-American culture and experience. Through the use of introspective lyrics and joyful imagery, the song evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing while also showcasing the beauty and joy of the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream of a land my soul is from
The singer dreams of a place that feels like home, even though they may not physically be there.
I hear a hand stroke on a drum
The singer hears the rhythmic beating of a drum, perhaps symbolizing a connection to their cultural heritage.
Shades of delight cocoa hue
The colors are described as shades of delight, specifically the rich brown color cocoa, which symbolizes the richness and depth of Black culture.
Rich as the night, afro blue
The richness of the colors are compared to the richness of the night, and the specific shade of blue is described as 'afro' to further emphasize its ties to Blackness.
Elegant boy, beautiful girl
The artist is describing two people dancing, one of whom is an 'elegant boy' and the other a 'beautiful girl.'
Dancing for joy, delicate whirl
The dancing is a joyful and delicate twirl, emphasizing the beauty and grace of the moment.
Two lovers dance face to face with undulating grace
The two individuals - now described as 'lovers' - dance with undulating grace, appearing to float across the floor.
They gently sway then slip away to some secluded place
The dancers move away from the larger crowd and into a more intimate, secluded area.
Shades of delight cocoa hue
The colors continue to be described using vivid imagery that highlights the beauty and richness of Black culture.
Rich as the night afro blue
Again, the colors are compared to the richness of the night and specifically associated with Blackness.
Dream of a land my soul is from
Repetition of the opening line, emphasizing the singer's strong connection to their cultural heritage and ancestral roots.
I hear a hand stroke on a drum
Repetition of an earlier line - perhaps to emphasize the importance of this connection to the artist.
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Repetition of an earlier line, continuing to reinforce the importance of Black culture and its visual beauty.
Rich as the night afro blue
Repetition of an earlier line - a final reminder of the depth and richness of Blackness.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Mongo Santamaria
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@emilyaponte9562
Dream of a land my soul is from
I hear a hand stroke on a drum
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night, afro blue
Elegant boy, beautiful girl
Dancing for joy, delicate whirl
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night, afro blue
Two lovers dance face to face with undulating grace
They gently sway then slip away to some secluded place
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night, afro blue
Dream of a land my soul is from
I hear a hand stroke on a drum
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night afro blue
Elegant boy, beautiful girl
Dancing for joy, delicate whirl
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night afro blue
Two lovers dance face to face with undulating grace
They gently sway then slip away to some secluded place
Shades of delight cocoa hue
Rich as the night afro blue
@jordancourse5102
Iβm 23 born in β97 and I feel a deep connection with music like this. Let me find a woman who enjoys music like this. ππΎ
@alexanderstone6045
Same here bro
@Pixiepie9
@@alexanderstone6045 yall gonna die alone lmao
@mastertrey4683
@@Pixiepie9 huh
@mastertrey4683
@@Pixiepie9 You know so many people like music like this BRUH
@divineexpression6784
Hi
@lewismaiden6949
That 1960's retro jazz flute with the cattiness of Erykah's voice is so lovely. Glasper is an amazing artist.
@larryyarborough8071
As my mother use to say, brother you said a mouth full.
@randicarwell6230
My God!! this song feels soooo good. I'm almost ashamed to say I started crying.....but no shame here. The colors of the chords brought the feelings of the raw passion of being in love to the surface of my heart......Thank you
@joephenom3098
no shame in admitting it, I cried too.