Monday, May 9, 2011

God bless the child









Lady Day got her own with this song born out of an argument with her mother. During a disagreement over money, Holiday told her mother, "God bless the child that's got his own." The anger over the incident led her to turn that line into a starting point for a song, which she worked out with Arthur Herzog in 1939. It was first recorded on May 9, 1941 in New York City under the OKeh label. 'God Bless the Child' has received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and has been named one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. The song refers to the parable of the good and faithful servant from Matthew 25:29: For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.





http://cdn.billieholiday.com/














Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible says 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
While the weak ones fade
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



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