Michael Perkins

I wanted to post Billie Holiday's God Bless the Child, but I was unhappy with the recording quality of the original Billie Holiday versions that I found. So I decided to post a more recent recording of the song. There are dozens of versions of this wonderful song. In addition to Billie Holiday, it has been recorded by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Sam Cooke, Anita Baker, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and many, many other great vocalists and instrumentalists. I listened to several of them, but I kept coming back to the version recorded by Blood, Sweat and Tears in 1968.

I first heard Blood, Sweat and Tears when my eighth grade band teacher called me into her office and played part of their new album for me. I fell in love with it immediately, and 42 years later, this brilliant album still thrills me. God Bless the Child is one of the album's many high points. Enjoy.



God Bless the Child

Them that's got, shall get
them that's not, shall lose
so the Bible said, and it still is news
mama may have, and papa may have
God bless' the child,
that's got his own
that's got his own

Yes the strong seem to get more
while the weak ones fade
empty pockets don't
ever make the grade
As mama may have
and papa may have
God bless' the child
that's got his own
that's got his own.

And when you got money,
you got a lots of friends
crowdin' 'round your door
When the money's gone
and all you're spendin' ends
they won't be 'round any more
no, no, no more

And rich relations
may give you
a crust of bread and such
you can help yourself
but don't take too much
mama may have
and your papa may have
but God bless' the child
that's got his own
that's got his own
God bless' the child who can stand up and say

I've got my own
Ev'ry child's, got to have his own!

-- Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.

Related:
Billie Holiday sings Fine and Mellow
Chris Botti & Sting perform My Funny Valentine
Renee Fleming and Bill Frisell