Born in Laurens, South Carolina, Davis became blind at a very young age. He took to the guitar and assumed a unique multi-voice style, playing not only ragtime and blues tunes, but also traditional and original tunes in four-part harmony. In the mid-1920s, he migrated to Durham, North Carolina, a major center for black culture at the time. While there, Davis collaborated with a number of other artists in the Piedmont blues scene including Blind Boy Fuller and Bull City Red. In 1935, a store manager with a reputation for supporting local artists introduced Davis (as well as Fuller and Red) to the American Record Company. The subsequent recording sessions marked the real beginning of Davis' career. It was also during his time in Durham that Davis converted to Christianity; he would later become ordained as a Baptist minister. Following his conversion and especially his ordination, Davis began to express a preference for inspirational gospel music.
In the 1940s, the blues scene in Durham began to decline and Davis migrated to New York City. By the 1960s, he had become known as the "Harlem Street Singer" and also acquired a reputation as the person to see if you wanted to learn to play guitar. The folk revival of the 1960s re-invigorated Davis' career, culminating in an performance at the Newport Folk Festival and the recording by Peter, Paul and Mary of "Samson & Delilah." Also known as "If I Had My Way," it was originally a Blind Willie Johnson recording that Davis had popularized.
Motherless Children
Rev. Gary Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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"
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.
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.
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!!