Pearl made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She won a Tony Award for the title role in Hello, Dolly! in 1968. Her rendition of "Takes Two to Tango" hit the top ten in 1952.
She was born in Southampton County, Virginia, to Rev. Joseph & Ella Mae Bailey. In 1954, she took the role of Frankie in the film version of Carmen Jones, and her rendition of "Beat Me That Rhythm on the Drum" is one of the highlights of the film. In 1959, she played the role of Maria in the film version of Porgy and Bess, starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. Also that year she played the role of "Aunt Hagar" in the movie St. Louis Blues alongside Mahalia Jackson, Eartha Kitt, and Nat King Cole. During the 1970s she had her own television show, and she also provided voices for animations such as Tubby the Tuba (1976) and Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981).
God Bless The Child
Pearl Bailey 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 worry 'bout nothin'
Cause he's got his own
In Pearl Bailey's rendition of "God Bless The Child," the lyrics speak to the notion that those who already have wealth or resources seemingly have an easier time accumulating more, while those without tend to lose out. These lyrics touch on the idea that this is not only true in our present society, but something that has always been true, even biblical times.
Bailey sings about how even if someone's parents were financially secure, it is still a blessing to have your own means of survival and success. She stresses the importance of having your own resources, saying that those who don’t have it end up falling behind in life.
Furthermore, she sings about how being wealthy attracts people who want to benefit from it, but when someone loses their finances, those same people tend to disappear. Bailey concludes that even though people with money can give handouts to those who do not, it is still essential to preserve one's wealth and not overindulge or be overly generous.
Line by Line Meaning
Them that's got shall get
Those who already have will continue to receive more
Them that's not shall lose
Those who do not have will continue to experience losses
So the Bible said and it still is news
This is a timeless principle found in the Bible that still holds true today
Mama may have, Papa may have
A child may have parents with material wealth
But God bless the child that's got his own
But a child who has their own material success is truly blessed
Yes, the strong gets more
Those who are already successful become even more successful
While the weak ones fade
Those who are struggling become even more disadvantaged
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Being financially poor makes it difficult to succeed in life
Money, you've got lots of friends
People are drawn to those with wealth
Crowding round the door
They will show up in droves
When you're gone, spending ends
But if you lose your wealth, these people will abandon you
They don't come no more
They will not return
Rich relations give
Even wealthy family members may give only the bare minimum to their less fortunate relatives
Crust of bread and such
Such as a small amount of food when it is needed most
You can help yourself
But it is important to work hard and become self-sufficient
But don't take too much
It is also important to be responsible and not be greedy
He just worry 'bout nothin'
The child who is self-sufficient and successful has less to worry about in life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind