God Bless The Child
Billie Holiday Lyrics
(Mama may have, Papa may have)
(But God bless the child that's got his own)
Them that's got shall get
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
While the weak ones fade
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 and 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
(God bless the child, the child that's got his own)
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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"God Bless the Child" is a song written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. in 1939, first recorded on May 9, 1941 under the Okeh label. Holiday's version of the song was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in (1976). It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. In her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. Read Full Bio"God Bless the Child" is a song written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. in 1939, first recorded on May 9, 1941 under the Okeh label. Holiday's version of the song was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in (1976). It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. In her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. She indicated that during the argument she said the line "God bless the child that's got his own." The anger over the incident led her to turn that line into a starting point for a song, which she worked out in conjunction with Herzog. In Jazz Singing Will Friedwald indicates it as "sacred and profane" as it references the Bible while indicating that religion seems to have no effect in making people treat each other better. The lyrics refer to an unspecified Biblical verse: "Them that's got shall get, them that don't shall lose, so the Bible says, and it still is news. . . . " This likely refers to Matthew 25:29.
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Barbara Richmond
Tears coming, my heart is broken. My mother sung this as she worked around the house. I miss you, Mama
Daia Michaels
Condolences, May she rest in Love.
Chris Ballard jr
💪🏾🙏🏿
Debra Hubbard
Damn Barbara, you made me cry again. My mother's favorite Christmas Carol was "Silver Bells." Heard it this morning, cried like a baby! Miss my mom too!
Mÿštêr Ē
So did my grandmother. It was her favorite song to hum, or sing, while working around the house. I miss her so much. #FcUKCANCER
B_AND_CFORYOURSELF
Bless your Momma, and may God and the Universe always bless you! 💕🙏
MrGregOtis
"If I'm going to sing like someone else, then I don't need to sing at all." - Billie Holiday
Often imitated, but never duplicated.
Farmer Giles
“Like Billie Holiday said, God bless the child that can hold his own, hold on be strong, it don’t stop, ‘till the casket drops. ~Tupac Shakur
Maia L
God Bless Billie, Ella, Sarah & Nina.
Irene Afonso
Dinah's missing there, she's fantastic.