On Wednesday’s ‘good people’ post in conjunction with Black History Month, I shined a light on Daisy Bates, a heroine of the Civil Rights era, the woman who was a big part of helping the Little Rock Nine break down the barriers of segregation in schools in Little Rock, Arkansas. The very next day, our friend Keith published a post about this very song by The Beatles’ Paul McCartney, who says the struggles of African-Americans, and particularly the Little Rock Nine, inspired him to write Blackbird. Somehow, it seemed fitting to redux this one at this time … I hope you’ll agree.
Paul McCartney wrote this about the civil rights struggle for African-Americans after reading about race riots in the US. He penned it in his kitchen in Scotland not long after Little Rock Nine, when the federal courts forced the racial desegregation of the Arkansas capital’s school system.
“I was sitting around with my acoustic guitar and I’d heard about the civil rights troubles that were happening in the ’60s in Alabama, Mississippi, Little Rock in particular,” he told GQ. “I just thought it would be really good if I could write something that if it ever reached any of the people going through those problems, it might give them a little bit of hope. So, I wrote ‘Blackbird.'”
McCartney with two of the Little Rock Nine
Blackbird
Paul McCartney
Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free
Black-bird fly
Black-bird fly, into the light of a dark black night
Black-bird fly
Black-bird fly, into the light of a dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise
you were only waiting for this moment to arise
you were only waiting for this moment to arise
Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul McCartney
Blackbird lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
A lovely song, Jill. Thanks for it and the thorough background. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I’m glad you liked it … I still have it stuck in my head and was belting it out in the shower this morning!
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A good redux Jill.
Cwtch
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Thanks sweetie.
Cwtch
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Just wonderful!
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I think this one will still be around in another 100 years, when we still won’t have learned that skin colour does not identify the character of the person!
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Exactly!
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Good one, Jill. 😁
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Thanks, John!
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I luv ur reduxes, my heart sings & my soul takes flight. Have a magical weekend ❤
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Jill, thanks for the shout out and added references to the Little Rock Nine. When music icons take a stand it makes a difference. Keith
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My pleasure, Keith … I’ve had the song in my head since reading your post and knew I wanted to mention it. Yes, they have a much louder voice and can reach many more people than you and I.
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So true.
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Thanks, I never knew of the connection of this Beatles song to the Little Rock 9! I appreciate the education. Glad to see another blogger celebrating Black History this month. Ole! -Rebecca
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I didn’t know either until a few years ago when I first researched the origins of the song. I’m glad you enjoyed it! Typically, I would be doing far more on this blog for Black History Month, but with the political situation such as it is, my thoughts have been pulled in other directions. I do plan a few more before the end of February, though!
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Thanks, Jill. Hope you will check out my offerings on the subject in the States and Latin America. 🙂
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I did check out one of your posts and was pleased by what I found! I’ll pop in from time to time when I can. Thanks!
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A beautiful song from a great songwriter. It comes from a great album, too.
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Agreed on all three counts! Do you like the one McCartney does with Stevie Wonder, “Ebony and Ivory”? That’s about my favourite, I think.
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Funnily enough, that’s one of his that I don’t really like! I think he did his best stuff earlier, in his Beatles and Wings days.
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Ah well … I love that one, likely because of both the meaning and the fact that it features my all-time, numero uno favourite artist, Stevie Wonder!
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It would be boring if we all liked the same things! I just found it a little…er…twee for my taste.
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It certainly would be boring! Diversity is what keeps life interesting!
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One of Paul’s best songs. Still not a protest song though, just good thoughts about a bad situation.
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I agree it is one of his best, and my other favourite is the one he does with Stevie Wonder, “Ebony and Ivory”. Doesn’t have to be a protest song to send a strong message.
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Ah, but I prefer protest songs, thus my comment, lol.
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I know you do, but as you know, I prefer a variety!
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But of course. As do I. Though bluegrass, opera or operetta, most modern country&western, and disco I would not miss if they weren’t around. Still, I’m sure you have your preferences, soul, blues, ballads, soft rock, etc. My number one preference is 60s psychedelic acid rock, followed by blues/rock, folk, and motown, many of which feature protest songs. Love songs are okay, but I put life before love. And now you know me even better.
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I share your feelings about those genres … I don’t listen to bluegrass, most country, or opera at all, and am not even sure what disco is. You typically go in for heavier music than I do … I never could stand acid rock or even hard rock, but we do share a love of Motown.
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Happy Siberian Saturday, Jill! :-)) Thank you for sharing this great song. But isnt it a shame how long this one is now out, and how less had taken place changing the situations? Have a beautiful weekend! Lets hope temperature and personal mood will increase to normal, next week! Michael
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It does, indeed, feel like a Siberian Saturday! Grey, dreary, and c-c-cold! We’re supposed to get 8-12 inches of snow on Monday-Tuesday. I’m ready for SPRING! Yes, it is a tragedy that not much has changed in over 50 years, that we are still very much a bigoted, racist nation. And, I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the Senate has voted to acquit Trump, so my mood is as bleak as the weather outdoors. Ah well, at least it’s the weekend. Have a good one, Michael!
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Thank you, Jill! Sounds a little bit more sad. Dont regret too much. Europe is at least the same, but we have a much more active Roman-Catholic Church rolling the drums for us. Lol (sarcasm out). 😉 Have a beautiful weekend! Michael
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Yes, a bit sad, a bit frustrated, a lot angry. Ah well. You can keep the Roman-Catholic Church over there … we have enough grief here with the evangelical ‘Christians’ who would like to shove their narrow-minded, bigoted ideas on us all. Weekend is almost over, but it was a nice, relaxing one.
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