Oh they say some people long ago

Were searchin' for a diff'rent 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

That is how the blues

Really began

They heard the breeze in the trees

Singin' 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 the hill

They took a new note

Pushed it through a horn 'till it was worn

Into a blue note

An' then they nursed it and rehearsed it

And gave out the news

That the "Southland"

Gave birth to the blues

Oh the breeze from the trees

A wail from the jail

A buzz from the cousin of a nightin'gale

And "Southland"

To the blues