Story Behind The Song
The writers took on a heavy theme...the African American experience...and put it to some rockin' blues music. Eventually recorded by Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland for her 2018 CD, AMERICA'S CHILD. The album went on to win Blues Music Award for Best Contemporary Blues album and Album of the Year!
Song Description
The African American experience as experienced in and part of Blues music.
| Song Length |
4:45 |
Genre |
Blues - Rock, Blues - General |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Subject |
Race/Ethnicity, History, Past |
Similar Artists |
Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
IN THE BLOOD OF THE BLUES
Lyrics by Terry Abrahamson / Music by Derrick Procell
I'm the jewel in the crown of the mighty Kings of Africa.
I'm the hand on the shaft of the spear that slew the lion.
I'm the soul clenched like a fist on the demon slave ship.
I'm the fire in the crack of the whip on a good man's spine.
I'm the twist in the wire tyin' every bale of cotton.
I'm the shout in the field that echoed 'cross the sea.
I'm the newsprint walls of the one-room shack at Stovall.
And the blade on the knife cut my brother from the tree.
I'M IN THE BLOOD OF THE BLUES.
I'M IN THE BLOOD OF THE BLUES.
I'M IN THE BLOOD OF THE BLUES.
I'M IN THE BLOOD OF THE BLUES.
I'm the long-gone mammies passin' down the sacred language.
I'm the first guitar strung from nails on the wall.
I'm the jailhouse wail of Son House gone to prison.
I'm the mule kickin' in another mule's stall.
CHORUS
I'M BETWEEN THE LINES OF EVERY SONG
I'M THE REASON THE BLUES KEEP KEEPIN' ON
I'm the hot wind blowin' North from the Caribbean
I'm the bridge where Voodoo crossed from New Orleans.
I'm the voice on the radio callin' down from Memphis.
I'm the suitcase full of sorrows on the train to the land of dreams.
CHORUS