Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Motherless Children
Eric Clapton Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
They don't have anywhere to go;
Wandering around from door to door.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.

Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can;
So many things a father can't understand.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.

Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can;
So many things a sister can't understand.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead.

When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead.
When your mother is dead, Lord, when your mother is dead.

Overall Meaning

The song "Motherless Children" by Eric Clapton is a poignant and emotional expression of the hardships that children face when they lose their mothers. The lyrics speak of the struggles that these children face, wandering from door to door with no one to care for them or treat them like their mother would. The first verse acknowledges the difficult reality of life without a mother, and how it can leave a child feeling lost and alone. The second verse speaks of the father, who will do the best he can but will never be able to fully understand the unique bond between a mother and her child. The third verse mentions the sister, who will also do her best but will never truly replace the love and understanding that a mother provides.


The repetition of the phrase "nobody treats you like a mother" throughout the song emphasizes the importance and irreplaceability of a mother's love and nurturing. The use of the word "lord" in each verse suggests a sense of hope and faith, as if the singer is seeking solace in a higher power during this difficult time.


Overall, "Motherless Children" is a moving tribute to the strength and resilience of children who have lost their mothers, and a reminder of the love and comfort that mothers provide.


Line by Line Meaning

Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
Growing up without a mother is difficult for children whose mother has passed away.


They don't have anywhere to go;
Without a mother, children have no place to call home or feel sheltered.


Wandering around from door to door.
Motherless kids often find themselves in a position of instability, never having a place to call home.


Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.
No one can fully replicate the love and care that a mother provides, leaving children with a sense of loss and disconnection.


Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
When a mother passes away, fathers try their best to fill the gap and take care of their children.


So many things a father can't understand.
Fathers cannot replace a mother's love, and there are certain nuances of parenting that only a mother can provide.


Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
A sister often tries to fill in the gap and take care of their siblings when their mother passes away.


So many things a sister can't understand.
Although sisters can provide care and support, there are specific elements of motherhood that they cannot replicate.


When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead.
The song emphasizes the deep loss and grief that comes with the death of a mother.


When your mother is dead, Lord, when your mother is dead.
The repetition of this line reinforces the impact of losing a mother and highlights the challenging journey of healing and moving forward without her love and support.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, CARL RADLE, PD TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

70snut Todd

This combination is a winner, Eric, Derek, Doyle , and this drummer is ready for anything 🙌

Atul

Powerful throaty vocals by Clapton.
Awesome slide by Derek n Doyle.
Drummer is on fire.
Everyone on stage looks happy n enjoying.
Great Live performance 👏

MisterBethany

Top class men and women doing a good day's work. You can't beat this with a stick. One of the best live videos I have seen since YT began. Watch it every couple of weeks,,

April S

And Willie Weeks on bass. He is amazing.

brewer9565

Holy shit! Where to begin: so much talent on that stage. The rhythm section alone is as good as it gets - Steve Jordan on drums and the great Willie Weeks on bass. This must be heaven. Unbelievable. Seriously. Update: I keep coming back to this. Steve Jordan is a monster - the drumming is so good on this.

kamar abdulghani

who is the drummer_ he can play very well

Dutch BoSoxFan

@PaulinWoburn - Hell yeah, what Trucks does in that last slide part is amazing.

Patrick Bryant

With the bonus of all 3 guitarists playing slide!

PaulinWoburn

Derrick Trucks is no slouch either.

Sat Urno

Great..great sound out of a very basic drum set up. I guess you don't need a monster 40 pieces drum set up to get a fantastic drumming sound. This guy is truly a master.

5 More Replies...
More Comments

More Videos