But I must own that I also felt stirred by an unselfish desire to voice all the joys and sorrows, the hopes and ambitions, of the American Negro, in classic musical form.

We were very close, and we shared each others' joys and sorrows.

I want to be as honest as I can about the things I've been through - the sorrows and joys, victories and defeats - and to use those experiences as a well to draw from. Hopefully, the songs that result from that kind of writing will be songs that mean something to others.

It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives its most distinctive character.

The real friend is he or she who can share all our sorrows and double our joys.

Joys impregnate, sorrows bring forth.