What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue? - Ethel Waters

Out in the street, shufflin' feet

Couples passin' two by two

While here am I, left high and dry

Black, and 'cause I’m black I’m blue

Browns and yellers, all have fellers

Gentlemen prefer them light

Wish I could fade, can’t make the grade

Nothing but dark days in sight

Cold, empty bed, springs hard as lead

Pains in my head, feel like old Ned

What did I do to be so black and blue?

No joys for me, no company

Even the mouse ran from my house

All my life through I’ve been so black and blue

I’m white inside, it don’t help my case

'Cause I can’t hide, what is on my face, oh!

I’m so forlorn, life’s just a thorn

My heart is torn, why was I born?

What did I do to be so black and blue?

'Cause you’re black, folks think you lack

They laugh at you, and scorn you too

What did I do to be so black and blue?

When you are near, they laugh and sneer

Set you aside and you’re denied

What did I do to be so black and blue?

How sad I am, each day I feel worse

My mark of Ham seems to be a curse, oh

How will it end?

ain’t got a friend

My only sin is my skin

What did I do to be so black and blue?