Motherless Children
Rev. Gary Davis Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone
Wanderin' 'round from door to door
They don't have no place to go
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone.

Some people say, "Sister will do when your mother is gone." (2x)
Some people say "Your sister will do"
Soon as she marries, turn her back on you.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone.

Your wife or your husband may be good to you when your mother is gone.(2x)
Wife or your husband may be good to you,
Nobody treat you like your mother do.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone.

Some people say, "Your auntie will do when your mother is gone." (2x)
Some people say "Your auntie will do"
Make a start, and then prove untrue.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone.

Jesus will be a Father to you when your mother is gone. (2x)
Jesus will be a Father to you




In pain and sorrow He will lead you through.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone.

Overall Meaning

The song "Motherless Children" by Reverend Gary Davis is a heartfelt expression of the pain and struggle that children go through when they lose their mother. The opening lines of the song emphasize the difficulty of the situation: "Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone", repeated twice for emphasis. The children wander from place to place, not having any home to go to, and feeling lost and alone in the world.


The song goes on to explore the idea that different people can take the place of a mother when she is gone. Some suggest that a sister can fill the void, but Davis counters that often sisters will abandon their siblings once they get married. The same goes for aunts - while they may provide support initially, they may prove to be untrustworthy in the long run. Only Jesus is a dependable source of comfort and guidance, as He can be a father figure to those who have lost their mothers.


The message of the song is clear: the loss of a mother is a difficult burden for any child to bear, and only with the support of family and faith can they hope to find their way through the pain.


Line by Line Meaning

Motherless children have a hard time when mother is gone
Children who have lost their mothers struggle when their mother is no longer present in their lives


Wanderin' 'round from door to door / They don't have no place to go
Motherless children have nowhere to go and are wandering from one place to another


Some people say, "Sister will do when your mother is gone." (2x) / Soon as she marries, turn her back on you.
Some people suggest a sister can fulfill the role of a mother, but may abandon the child as soon as she marries


Your wife or your husband may be good to you when your mother is gone. (2x) / Nobody treat you like your mother do.
A spouse may treat you well, but no one can replace the love and care of a mother


Some people say, "Your auntie will do when your mother is gone." (2x) / Make a start and then prove untrue.
Some people suggest an aunt can take the place of a mother, but may not follow through on fulfilling this role


Jesus will be a Father to you when your mother is gone. (2x) / In pain and sorrow He will lead you through.
Jesus can serve as a father figure to motherless children, and will support them through difficult times




Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

CarolAnn Jones

Nobody notice this? This is amazing.

as2191

When he breaks down at the end...
It doesn't even matter if it's a put-on; it's hugely affecting.

Extra Salt

Hoomeyow!!