Oh, they say some people long ago
Were lookin' for a different tune
One that they could croon, as only they can
They only had the rhythm so
They started swayin' to and fro
They didn't know just what to use
But this is how the blues really began
This is the way the blues began

They heard the breeze through the trees
Singing weird melodies
And they named that just the start of the blues
Then from a jail, there came a wail
From a down-hearted frail
And they played that as a part of the blues

Now, from a whippoorwill sittin' high on a hill
They took a new note
And they pushed it through a horn
Until it was worn into a blue note
And then they nursed it, yeah, rehearsed it
And then gave out the news
That the Southland really gave birth to the blues

From a whippoorwill high on a hill
They grabbed a new note
And they pushed it through a horn
Until it was worn into a blue note
And then they nursed it, go, rehearsed it
And then gave out the news
That the Southland gave birth to the blues
Everybody, they nursed it, rehearsed it
And gave out the news
That that old Southland gave birth, the birth to the blues