Nobody's Child
Tony Sheridan & the Beatles Lyrics


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As I was slowly passing
An orphan's home one day,
I stopped for just a little while
To watch the children play.
Alone a boy was standing
And when I asked him why,
He turned with eyes that could not see
And he began to cry.

I'm nobody's child,
I'm nobody's child.
Just like the flowers
I'm growing wild.
I got no mummy's kisses
I got no daddy's smile.
Nobody wants me,
I'm nobody's child.

No mummy's arms to hold me
Or sue me when I cry,
'Cause sometimes I feel so lonesome
I wish that I could die.
I'll walk the streets of heaven
Where all blinds can see.

And just like for the other kids
It will be a home for me.

I'm nobody's child,
I'm nobody's child.
Just like the flowers
I'm growing wild.
I got no mummy's kisses
I got no daddy's smile.




Nobody wants me,
I'm nobody's child.

Overall Meaning

The song 'Nobody's Child' by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles seems to describe a chance encounter with an orphan boy, who is standing by himself and crying. The singer asks the boy why he is crying, and the boy responds that he is 'nobody's child.' The lyrics go on to express the boy's feelings of neglect and isolation, describing how he has no one to comfort him or care for him. He longs for the love and attention of a parent, but knows that he is unwanted and unloved. The final verse offers a glimmer of hope, however, as the boy dreams of walking the streets of heaven, where he will finally find a home.


The song is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many abandoned and orphaned children, who are left to fend for themselves without the love and support of a family. It speaks to the universal human need for love and belonging, and highlights the cruelty of a world that can let children suffer in this way.


Interestingly, 'Nobody's Child' was not originally written by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles. The song was actually written by Cy Coben and Mel Foree in 1949, and had been recorded by a number of artists before The Beatles got hold of it. Sheridan's version, which was recorded in 1961, is notable for featuring vocals from the young Beatles, before they had become a household name. The song was a hit in the UK and Germany, and is now regarded as a classic of the 'skiffle' genre.


Line by Line Meaning

As I was slowly passing An orphan's home one day,
While I was walking by an orphan's home at a slow pace,


I stopped for just a little while To watch the children play.
I paused for a brief moment to observe the children playing.


Alone a boy was standing And when I asked him why,
I noticed a solitary boy standing and inquired about his situation.


He turned with eyes that could not see And he began to cry.
The boy faced me with sightless eyes and started weeping.


I'm nobody's child,
I don't have any parents or guardians.


I'm nobody's child. Just like the flowers I'm growing wild.
I'm akin to wildflowers in that I don't have a home or family.


I got no mummy's kisses I got no daddy's smile.
Neither do I receive affectionate motherly kisses nor fatherly smiles.


Nobody wants me, I'm nobody's child.
I feel unwanted and unloved; I'm all alone.


No mummy's arms to hold me Or sue me when I cry,
I don't have comforting motherly arms to embrace me or console me when I cry.


'Cause sometimes I feel so lonesome I wish that I could die.
I experience feelings of loneliness so deeply sometimes that I desire to end my life.


I'll walk the streets of heaven Where all blinds can see.
I'll go to heaven, where the sightless inhabit and can finally perceive.


And just like for the other kids It will be a home for me.
In the afterlife, heaven will serve as a home for me, similar to the other children.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Cy Coben, Mel Foree

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Freddy T. Black

Perhaps the best version of my favorite early Beatles song and Tony Sheridan sings it with such eloquence and emotion and puts a picture of the lyrics in ones mind and heart 💔😭

heinzer69

Good performance by Tony👍

Konstantia

So heartfelt...beautiful.
That was Tony.
❤️

buddy velayo

good voice and plays guitar the best

Patrick Buzzo

GREAT TONY ,I'M PROUD THAT I'VE MET YOU IN PERSON!!

Steve Kalinich

A great performance a grand song 

Jim Rafferty

Love the version with The Beatles

Ed Becka

I've been trying to find that unsuccessfully.

Jim Rafferty

@Ed Becka Looks like Tony pulled all versions from You Tube

Konstantia

Hi Jim! The first recording made by the "Beatles" (John, Paul, George, Pete) was on the album featuring Tony Sheridan. They were used as a back-up group, named by Polydor as the "Beat Brothers". (That name was used for for various groups backing Tony on recordings.) It's Tony singing on that version of Nobody's Child, as well.

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