The Blues

I love blues music. I grew up around it, I have always played it, at times I've even lived it. Blues music is universal, yet personal to the individual. We've all had hard times, but the blues came from a people that were uniquely hardened by the circumstances of their time. Slaver, oppression, racism, poverty, and the resilience of a people has created a beautiful art form. I thought about this post from reading Langston Hughes. He injects the blues into his poetry, and if it hasn't been done already, one could create a blues song from some of them. Being a long time fan of the blues I want to share some of Hughes' poetry along with some lyrics from traditional blues music. Both of these are chilling examples of creative expression.

Song for a Dark Girl

by Langston Hughes

Way down south in Dixie
—(Break the heart of me)
They hung my dark young lover
—To a cross roads tree.

Way Down South in Dixie
—(Bruised body high in air)
I asked the white Lord Jesus
—What was the use of prayer.

Way Down South in Dixie
—(Break the heart of me)
Love is a naked shadow
—On a gnarled and naked tree.

The song "Black Girl" also known as "In the Pines" and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" is a traditional folk, or blues, song of which the author is unknown. This is the earliest version of the lyrics known to have been in print. These words have been passed on from generation to generation.

"Black girl, black girl, don't lie to me

Where did you stay last night?
I stayed in the pines where the sun never shines
And shivered when the cold wind blows"

Here is Leadbelly's, one of my favorite performers, version of the traditional song. The blues often sounds rough and imperfect. This embodies the sentiment of the blues. It is the moment of expression and inspiration that is the focus of the blues. A great blues musician of the Indianapolis area, "Screamin' Jimmy," once told me that I had to "feel the blues to play the blues." When it is there you can here it, and it doesn't sound like anything else.

Here are some additional links to blues songs. Feel free to post suggestions or links in the comments of some blues music, or any music that you feel uses literary expression, that you enjoy.

Leadbelly - The Gallows Pole

Howlin Wolf - Spoon Full

Abner Jay - My Middle Name is the Blues