Jazz Poems

BLACK AND BLUE

(WHAT DID I DO TO BE SO BLACK AND BLUE)

Out in the street,

Shufflin’ feet,

Couples passin’ two by two,

While here am I,

Left high and dry, black, and ‘cause i’m black I’m blue.

Browns and yellers

All have fellers,

Gentlemen prefer them light.

Wish I could fade,

Can’t makee the grade,

Nothin’ but dark days in sight.

REFRAIN

Cold empty bed,

Springs hard as lead,

Pains in my head,

Feels 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.I’m white

Inside,

It don’t help my case

‘Cause I

Can’t hide

What is on my face,ooh!

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?

REFRAIN

Just ‘cause you’re black,

Folks think you lack,

They laugh at you

And scornyou too,

What did I do

To be so black and blue?

When you are near,

They laugh and sneer,

Set you aside

And you’re denied,

What did I do

To be so black and blue?

How sad I am

Each day I feel worse,

My mark of Ham

Seems to be a curse, ooh!

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?

ANDY RAZAF | 1895~1973

MUSIC BY THOMAS “FATS” WALLER

from Jazz Poems ~ Selected and Edited by Kevin Young

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