Oh they say some people long ago

Were searching for a different tune

One that they could croon as only they can



They heard the breeze in the trees

Singing weird melodies

And they made that the start of the blues



And from a jail came the wail

Of a down-hearted frail

And they played that as part of the blues



From a whippoorwill out on a hill

They took a new note

Pushed it through a horn till it was worn into a blue note



And then they nursed it, rehearsed it

and gave out the news

That the Southland gave birth to the blues