Somebody asked me, why I live the blues
I said the blues is all around me; I just find something I can use
And I feel it running through me, but I give it my heart and soul
I practice while I'm singing; let the feeling take control

I'm just tryin' to tell the truth
Every time I sing the blues

Might think about a woman and how she done me wrong
I might think about some hard times when I was barely hanging on
I might think about a brother who still can't make things be
Some fallin' sisters sellin' it on the street

I'm just tryin' to tell the truth
Every time I sing the blues

I find my inspiration in tears and desperation
Sad, sad stories we all know so well
Along with one more story to tell

Here I am another night; another town along the way
Room full of people say they wanna hear me play
Yes there was some hard times, my luck cannot survive
It takes a whole lot of livin; to make us all come alive

I'm just tryin' to tell the truth
Every time I sing the blues

I'm just tryin' to tell the truth
Every time I sing the blues