Perry Como — Birth of the Blues

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 ( whippoorwill, whippoorwill, whippoorwill . . . ) Pushed it through a horn 'till it was worn Into a blue note . . . ( whippoorwill, whippoorwill, whippoorwill . . . ) An' then they nursed it, and rehearsed it And gave out the news That the "Southland" . . Gave birth to the blues! ( Shout out the wonderful news! ) Oh, the breeze from the trees A wail from the jail A buzz from the cousin of a nightin'gale And "Southland" ( hello, hello! ) Gave birth to the blues! Music by Ray Henderson