Lyr Req: Black and Blue (Razaf, Brooks, Waller)

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK AND BLUE (Razaf, Brooks, Waller)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 04:17 PM

I pieced this together from several online sources. I believe this is complete, as it appeared in the original sheet music. Note that (1) It was originally written from a woman's point of view; and (2) the theme of light vs. dark skin is rather more explicitly treated than in Armstrong's shortened version.


(WHAT DID I DO TO BE SO) BLACK AND BLUE?
Words, Andy Razaf. Music, Harry Brooks and Thomas "Fats" Waller.
New York: Mills Music, ©1929.
From the revue "Connie's Hot Chocolates"

Out in the street,
Shufflin' feet,
Couples passing 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 make the grade.
Nothin' but dark days in sight.

Cold empty bed,
Springs hard as lead,
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.

I'm white inside.
It don't help my case,
'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?

Just 'cause you're black,
Folks think you lack.
They laugh at you
And scorn you 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.

How will it end?
Ain't got no friend.
My only sin
Is in my skin.
What did I do
To be so black and blue?


[The Red Hot Jazz Archive has a recording by Ruben "River" Reeves and his River Boys that contains most of the above lyrics.]

[Below is what Louis Armstrong sings, in a recording at YouTube:]


Old empty bed,
Springs hard as lead.
Feel like Old Ned.
Wish I was dead.
All my life through,
I've been so black and blue.

Even the mouse
Ran from my house.
They laugh at you
And scorn you too.
What did I do
To be so black and blue?

I'm white inside,
But that don't help my case,
'Cause I can't hide
What is in 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?

Subject: black and blue (Satchmo)
From: aaron c.
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 05:06 PM

howdy, i'm a graduate student in Canada gathering music/lyrics/anecdotes for a dissertation (which i won't start for another year and a half at least) on the interrelationship between African American music and literature. i recently bought a Louis Armstrong CD with a song entitled "black and blue" and the lyrics (the ones i could piece together) punched me in the gut. i'm wondering if anyone knows the (or a) complete lyric for the song. thanks for your help!

Subject: black and blue (Satchmo)
From: aaron c.
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 05:05 PM

howdy, i'm a graduate student in Canada gathering music/lyrics/anecdotes for a dissertation (which i won't start for another year and a half at least) on the interrelationship between African American music and literature. i recently bought a Louis Armstrong CD with a song entitled "black and blue" and the lyrics (the ones i could piece together) punched me in the gut. i'm wondering if anyone knows the (or a) complete lyric for the song. thanks for your help!