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?