Love Child Version )
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics

You think that I don't feel love
You may believe that I am not capable of love

What I feel for you is real love
However, my feelings for you are genuine and true

In other's eyes I see reflected a hurt, scorned, rejected
Unfortunately, I see others' disapproval and judgment cast upon me

Love child, never meant to be
I was born out of wedlock and should never have existed in the first place

Love child, born in poverty
I was brought up in unfortunate conditions of poverty

Love child, never meant to be
I was never supposed to be born in this world

Love child, take a look at me
But look at me now

I started my life in an old, cold, rundown tenement slum
My life began in a dilapidated and shabby tenement building

My father left, he never even married Mom
My father abandoned us, and my mother and he never even got married

I shared the guilt my mama knew
I felt guilty and responsible for my mother's struggles and pain

So afraid that others knew I had no name
I was always fearful that people would find out that I had no legitimate name or identity

This love we're contemplating, is worth the pain of waiting
However, the love that we are pursuing is worth the pain of waiting

We'll only end up hating the child we may be creating
Having a child out of wedlock may only lead to resentment and hatred towards the child

Love child, by society
I am judged and regarded as an outcast by society

Love child, always second best
I am always seen as inferior and treated as second-rate

Love child, diff'rent from the rest
I am different from others and do not fit in

Hold on, whoa
Wait, hold on

I started school in a worn, torn, dress that somebody threw out
I began my education wearing old, worn-out clothes that someone had given away

I knew the way it was to always live in doubt
I was familiar with the constant feeling of uncertainty and insecurity

To be without the simple things
I had to live without even the basic necessities

So afraid my friends could see the guilt in me
I feared that my friends could sense my overwhelming sense of guilt and shame

Don't think that I don't need you
Please don't misconstrue that I don't want you

Don't think I don't want to please you
I very much want to make you happy

No child of mine'll be bearing the name of shame I've been wearin'
But I refuse to allow my future child to bear the same shame and dishonor that I have endured

Love child, never quite as good
I will never quite measure up to societal standards, as I am seen as an illegitimate child

Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood
I constantly feel fearful and shameful while being misunderstood by others

But I'll always love you
Despite all of these internal and external struggles, I will always love you

You, you, you
Yes, you specifically, I will always hold dear in my heart.