banshee
In Irish folklore, a female spirit whose wailing warns of impending death.
the blues
In the poem, the singing of “the blues” may have two connotations:
-the literal singing of blues music—a genre that originates in African-American culture and conveys sadness and pain.
-the expression of having “the blues”—being melancholy or depressed.
race
A group of people related by common descent; the human race.
moan
A low and prolonged sound indicating physical or emotional suffering.
round
In the poem’s context, a synonym for “around.”
gonna
A vernacular form of “going to.”
