I've been down I've been lied to
Been mistreated I've been used
Seen more than my share of troubles
Must have been born
to sing the blues
Papa he died before I was one
Left Mama with two daughters
and this son
Lord you know we paid our dues
Must have been born
to sing the blues
When the time came I went off to school
The children mean
the teachers were so cruel
Couldn't live by all their rules
Must have been born
to sing the blues
(bridge)
Came of age out on the streets
Saw all my dreams
go down in defeat
Wasted nights
on drugs and booze
Must have been born
to sing the blues
Got myself clean thought I had it made
Followed the rules
Learned to play their games
Each hand held a chance to lose
Must have been born
to sing the blues
Had a job once I had a home
My woman left
took everything I ever owned
This life's been nothing but bad news
Must have been born
to sing the blues
I've been down I've lied to
Been mistreated I've been used
Seen more than my share of troubles
Must have been born
to sing the blues
Must have been born
to sing the blues
Must have been born
to sing the blues
