Lady Really Sings the Blues

I was over at Reverd's Place for a writing session. We came up with a lot of concepts and are on the way to a great song. We took a break during the course of the evening and the good ol' Rev. played me a song. Now I thought I was a Billie Holiday fan... and I was under the assumption that I knew her shit like nobody's business. Until he played me the ultimate Lady Day song which has left chills up my spine.

This song is probably the most chilling song I have ever heard. The song was written by Lewis Allan aka Abel Meeropol who was a Jewish school teacher. (Lewis also wrote “The House I Live In,” sung by Frank Sinatra). It is an illumination adaptation of lynching in America. The words are captivating. The juxtaposition of the beautiful scene and the rotting bodies couldn't be more exemplified. To me this song is complete genius. Abel Meeropol apparently wrote this poem in the 1930's after seeing a gruesome picture of a lynching.

I am saddened to say that I did not no about this song. I have several Billie compilations and this song is not on any of them. After browsing the internet and reading up on this song, I realize that not only is it rarely played now, it was rarely played back in the 1940's when Billie was singing it. When Billie recorded the song it was difficult to get radio play and to sing it in clubs and her record label wanted nothing to do with it. I have several Holiday favorites, but this one tops them all.

I am not really into all the Black History hoop-la, I believe that there are other ways and means to educate people about the impact that people of colour have contributed to society. But I believe that this song captures the essence of the time where racism, ignorance, fascism, and cowardice among other things were at the forefront.

There is a book about this which I am going to pick up and read. I think it may be as interesting as the song. Hmm... I guess in the essence of so-called Black History month... I will for this one time and I mean one time only dedicate this song to the cause. Have a listen.....