Introduction to "The Blues" - The Chicago Poetry Center

Introduction to “The Blues”

Last week Brennemann 5th graders talked about the blues as a feeling of sadness, and as a musical form created by African-Americans in the late 1800s. We watched video of our example blues song, “Everyday I Have the Blues” as performed by Emmet Cohen, Tyreek McDole & Anthony Hervey. We also viewed a blues sung in Spanish by the bilingual singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Maya Burns. I asked students to notice how blues performers make their voices and musical instruments sound as if they are wailing and crying. We talked about nicknames, stage names, and noms de plume (or “pen names”); and noted that the blues is full of rhyme and repetition. After making lists of reasons why people may have the blues, we had fun finding out our “blues names” with the help of a “Blues Name Generator.” In the time we had left, some students tried their hand at writing a draft of a blues poem.

Ms. Keuten 5th Grade

Some reasons to have the blues: Ms. Keuten's Class

break-up blues
loss of someone you love
bad day blues
bad homework blues
not enough money blues
lose a video game blues
getting in trouble blues
love blues
not enough free time blues
losing your house blues
not enough sleep blues
going to the dentist and getting your tooth pulled blues
damaging something blues

"Somebody Almost Stole My Money Blues" Alandis W. (aka Fat Baby Bailey)

Well, I was walking in my room one day
Oooo, I said I was walking in my room one day
When I saw somebody looking sneaky
They didn’t know I was peeking
They were digging in my wallet
I thought I’d better call it
Whoa, somebody almost sole my money blues

Ms. Birkeland 5th Grade

Some reasons to have the blues: Ms. Birkeland's Class

getting tackled blues
end of the school day/ school year blues
baby sister blues
losing a video game blues
someone broke my heart blues

"The Pain of a Lego Blues" Philip K. (aka Sleepy Legs Smith)

When I step on a lego
the pain rushes to my brain
Since I stepped on a lego train
I feel the pain right in my veins
I’m as sad as the wet rain
my brother claims
he cleaned them up but I showed him
the lego stain
on my foot

"Getting My Heart Broken Blues" Ajayceion M. (aka Fat Gumbo Lee)

She was playing with my heart
She was only using me for my money
She was cheating on me
My heart was crushed
She was only using me for my money