Ohh, 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 the 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
'Til 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
Wail from the jail
A buzz from the cousin
Of a nightin'gale

And 'Southland'
(Hello, hello)
Gave birth to the blues