God Bless the Child
Billie Holiday/Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible said and it still is news
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Yes, the strong gets more
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Money, you've got lots of friends
Crowding round the door
When you're gone, spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
He just don't worry 'bout nothin'
'Cause he's got his own
The song God Bless the Child is a powerful and evocative ballad that speaks to the pain and struggle of poverty and inequality. The opening lines, "Them that's got shall have, them that's not shall lose, so the Bible said and it still is news," sets the stage for a discussion about the ways in which wealth and opportunity are unfairly distributed in society. The song goes on to describe how those with money often have more resources at their disposal, while those without are left to struggle and suffer. However, the song also acknowledges the strength and resilience of those who are able to make it on their own, proclaiming "God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own" as a refrain throughout the piece.
Line by Line Meaning
Them that's got shall have
Those who already possess things will continue to receive more
Them that's not shall lose
Those who do not have anything will continue to lose more
So the Bible said and it still is news
This saying has been around for a long time, and still holds true today
Mama may have, Papa may have
The child's parents may have material possessions
But God bless the child that's got his own
But it is a blessing for a child to have their own possessions
Yes, the strong gets more
The rich and powerful continue to gain more wealth and influence
While the weak ones fade
The poor and powerless continue to struggle and suffer
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Being poor will never be enough to succeed in life
Money, you've got lots of friends
People are only interested in you when you have money
Crowding round the door
They will flock to you and try to get close to you
When you're gone, spending ends
When you run out of money, people will stop caring about you
They don't come no more
Those so-called friends will disappear
Rich relations give
Wealthy family members may provide minimal assistance
Crust of bread and such
Enough to barely survive
You can help yourself
You must be self-sufficient
But don't take too much
But be careful not to become greedy
He just don't worry 'bout nothin'
The one who has their own possessions does not have to worry about anything
'Cause he's got his own
Because they have their own possessions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: ARTHUR HERZOG, BILLIE HOLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind