Everybody wants to know

Why I sing the blues

Yes I say everybody wanna know

Why I sing the blues

Well I've been around for a long time

I really have paid my dues

When I first got the blues

They brought me over on a ship

I try to get my men standing

But they get more with a whip

And everybody wanna know

Why I sing the blues

Well I've been around for a long time

People let me tell you I've paid my dues

You know I've laid in a ghetto flat

Cold and numb

I heard the rats tell the bedbugs

To give the roaches some

And everybody wanna know

Why I'm singing the blues

Yes I've been around for a long time

Let me tell you I've paid my dues

I stood in line

Down at the county hall

And I heard a man say we're gonna build

Some new apartments for y'all

And everybody wanna know

Why I'm singing the blues

Yes I've been around for a long time

People let me tell you I've paid my dues

You know probably told me

Cause I wanna gonna grow

'Cause I black can think the proes

Every part that you

And everybody wanna know

Why I'm singing the blues

Cause I've been around for a long time

And I've really really paid my dues

I shame another young

I've really really love singing my blue