Analysis of the text of The Weary Blues

"Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow

croon, I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other night By the
pale dull pallor of an old gas light He did a lazy sway..."

This stanza sets the scene of the poem. The musician is described, playing a
syncopated tune, probably on a piano. The language used to describe the
music is rhythmic and lulling, reflecting the slow, hypnotic nature of the blues.
The setting is a specific location, Lenox Avenue, which adds to the realism of
the scene. The imagery created by the "pale dull pallor of an old gas light"
enhances the somber atmosphere.

Second Stanza: "He did a lazy sway. . . He did a lazy sway. . . To the tune o'
those Weary Blues. With his ebony hands on each ivory key He made that
poor piano moan with melody."

This stanza emphasizes the musician's physical movements and their

connection to the music. The repetition of "He did a lazy sway" creates a
hypnotic effect, echoing the repetitive nature of blues music. The contrast
between the musician's "ebony hands" and the "ivory key" highlights the racial
contrast and unity brought together through music. The phrase "made that
poor piano moan with melody" personifies the piano, suggesting a deep
emotional resonance in the music.

Third Stanza: "O Blues! Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool He played that
sad raggy tune like a musical fool. Sweet Blues! Coming from a black man's
soul. O Blues!"

This stanza directly addresses the essence of the blues. The repetition of "O
Blues!" emphasizes the emotional impact and significance of the music. The
musician is portrayed as someone deeply connected to the music, playing
with a mixture of sadness and improvisation. The phrase "Coming from a black
man's soul" highlights the cultural and emotional origins of the blues.

Fourth Stanza: "In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone I heard that
Negro sing, that old piano moan— 'Ain't got nobody in all this world, Ain't
got nobody but ma self. I's gwine to quit ma frownin' And put ma troubles on
the shelf.'"

This stanza introduces the vocal aspect of the performance. The singer's voice
is described as having a deep, melancholic tone, perfectly complementing the
mournful sound of the piano. The lyrics of the song express loneliness and
isolation, depicting the struggles faced by the singer. The decision to "quit ma
frownin'" and "put ma troubles on the shelf" reflects a resolve to cope with
hardships through music and the blues.

Fifth Stanza: "Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor. He played a
few chords then he sang some more— 'I got the Weary Blues And I can't be
satisfied. Got the Weary Blues And can't be satisfied— I ain't happy no mo'
And I wish that I had died.'"

This stanza intensifies the emotional depth of the performance. The rhythmic
"Thump, thump, thump" of the musician's foot contributes to the musicality of
the scene. The lyrics express profound dissatisfaction and despair, echoing the
weariness and pain experienced by the singer. The repetition of "Got the
Weary Blues" emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of dissatisfaction and
unhappiness.

Sixth Stanza: "And far into the night he crooned that tune. The stars went out
and so did the moon. The singer stopped playing and went to bed While the
Weary Blues echoed through his head. He slept like a rock or a man that's
dead."

The final stanza concludes the performance. The musician continues to sing
and play late into the night, suggesting the enduring nature of his emotional
turmoil. The fading of the stars and the moon symbolizes the passing of time,
yet the blues persist in the musician's mind. The comparison between his
sleep and that of a rock or a dead man implies a deep, dreamless slumber,
perhaps an escape from the weariness that plagues him.

In summary, Langston Hughes' "The Weary Blues" captures the essence of the
blues through vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and emotional depth. It
portrays the pain, loneliness, and existential struggle of the African American
experience through the powerful medium of music. The poem is a poignant
exploration of human emotions and the redemptive power of artistic
expression in the face of adversity.