I don't claim to be old
And I have no desire
To get there too soon
But this story must be told
REFRAIN:
The blues before my time
They tear me down and then
They fill my heart and make me whole
The blues before my time
 
Most say it's just a sadness
But they don't really know
How the blues is but a mirror
Of the way we live and how we love
REFRAIN
If it's crying that I'm needing
I can do it with the blues
Then when I through I'll cry with joy
And put on my dancing shoes
REFRAIN
I've never been downtrodden
For fault of being black
But those who've gone and left this legacy
It's them I'd like to thank
I'd like to thank
I'd like to thank