Answer to Question 1
The most common themes in blues lyrics concern lovers and mistreatment.
Although blues singers are usually familiar with the situations they describe in their songs, the song texts are not necessarily autobiographical.
Blues songs occur to blues composers spontaneously or may be part of a collection of standard verses known to the composer. The lyrics usually stick to one event/idea and are memorized beforehand rather than improvised during performance.
Answer to Question 2
The function of the group work song is to coordinate the workers' efforts and take their minds off the hard work.
The chief distinguishing musical feature of the group work song is the call-andresponse vocal organization: a leader sings the call, which is answered by the group's response.
Other musical features include blue notes, syncopation, and improvised lyrics.