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Billie Holiday — God Bless The Child
Album: Lady Sings The Blues
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2337









Released: 1956
Length: 3:56
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Them that's got shall have
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 get smart
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
They're crowding around your door
But when you're gone and spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give crusts 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

Money you've got lots of friends
They're crowding around your door
But when you're gone and spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give crusts 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

Here just don't worry about nothing cause he's got his own
Yes, he's got his own
Comments (62)add comment
Sing one for me up there Billie, I kind of need it at the moment.
Posted 1 month ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

I like this song, and love Ms Holliday's voice and phrasing.  What I don't get are the lyrics.

What does it mean, " ... a child that's got his own ... "?  If it means a child that has his own money ... I don't understand how that happens outside of Hollywood kid stardom.

For that matter, "Yes, the strong get smart "... well, I've known a lot of strong, but dumb, folks that haven't wised up during the 40 years they've been my friends.  Am I missing the interpretation there, too?



I think she's being ironic or cynical, apparently spitting her mom's own words back as her. Perhaps it's just at hard to read sarcasm in older prose & lyrics, as it is on internet posts.

I know, at least for myself, this interpretation makes the song much more enjoyable and less saccharine-sweet/unrealistic.
Posted 6 months ago by Emperors_Spork    [ Reply ]
everyone i highly recommend lady sings the blues, about billie holiday, great movie 
Posted 6 months ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Makes me hope that somehow she gets the news that she's loved for who she was, and still is.
Posted 6 months ago by bufallo    [ Reply ]
 For Billie with love, always.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

Love the BS&T version, which was the first I heard, but God Bless Billie!




I Agree! I first heard the B,S, &T version when I was 13, in 1968. My buddy's older brother had the album. He just returned from Vietnam and had a killer stereo,  that he bought at the PX in Japan.  I went right out and bought it after hearing it on  his stereo!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 jen3005545 wrote:

and God bless Billie



  
Posted 2 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
The juxtaposition of Billie being played after Natalie Merchant track is interesting...Lady Day gets all the respect and praise, in spite of a pretty unique voice.  Natalie gets tons of grief, because of a pretty unique voice.  Hmmm.

Pretty sure the extremes aren't deserved in either case.
Posted 2 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
 hightail wrote:

One of the best musicians at all time for me. Love this wonderful lady!! 

Can't go wrong with Billie at any time of the day and this just came on as I opened a bottle of pre-dinner red wine. 


What did you drink with your dinner ? Or indeed had you indulged in a preprandial cocktail before the pre-dinner red ?

Posted 2 years ago by SkidMarx    [ Reply ]
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

Love the BS&T version, which was the first I heard, but God Bless Billie!




Same here!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Love the BS&T version, which was the first I heard, but God Bless Billie!
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!!  ICONIC!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by Benedito    [ Reply ]
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
I can only hear David Sedaris now,
whenever Billie comes on
 
yep! Awaaay in the mainger! LOL 
Posted 3 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
I like this song, and love Ms Holliday's voice and phrasing.  What I don't get are the lyrics.

What does it mean, " ... a child that's got his own ... "?  If it means a child that has his own money ... I don't understand how that happens outside of Hollywood kid stardom.

For that matter, "Yes, the strong get smart "... well, I've known a lot of strong, but dumb, folks that haven't wised up during the 40 years they've been my friends.  Am I missing the interpretation there, too?
 
From https://genius.com/Billie-holi...

"In her controversial autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues, Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. Her mother said the line “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 in conjunction with Herzog." 


Posted 4 years ago by 3Chords    [ Reply ]
So good...Sonny Chillingworth ---> Billie Holiday.  Thanks, Bill and Rebecca!
Posted 4 years ago by SteveInVa    [ Reply ]
I like this song, and love Ms Holliday's voice and phrasing.  What I don't get are the lyrics.

What does it mean, " ... a child that's got his own ... "?  If it means a child that has his own money ... I don't understand how that happens outside of Hollywood kid stardom.

For that matter, "Yes, the strong get smart "... well, I've known a lot of strong, but dumb, folks that haven't wised up during the 40 years they've been my friends.  Am I missing the interpretation there, too?
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 gregskrtic wrote:
 no. no. no.

    

 
Yep, yep, yep.

    
Posted 5 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I can only hear David Sedaris now,
whenever Billie comes on
Posted 6 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
Variety - the stuff of life.  Billie is always a welcome listen
Posted 6 years ago by jrwoytek    [ Reply ]
 Shaker wrote:
God bless Radio Paradise!
Thank you, you two.{#Heartkiss}

 
and God bless Billie
Posted 6 years ago by jen3005545    [ Reply ]
God bless Radio Paradise!
Thank you, you two.{#Heartkiss}
Posted 6 years ago by Shaker    [ Reply ]
 
Highlowsel wrote:
Indeed.  I mean no disrespect to Lady Billie but I've always kind'a liked, better, BST's version of this.  Or maybe it's the version I heard first way back when.  Regardless, a great tune with a ton of relevance (still) today.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen


 bstevens1951 wrote: 

Please don't ever confuse Billie Holiday with David Clayton Thomas & Blood, Sweat and Tears.
 
I don't think he was "confusing" them at all; it seems like he was just comparing the two versions of this song.  Still, that BS&T version is pretty weak IMO.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
One of the best musicians at all time for me. Love this wonderful lady!! 

Can't go wrong with Billie at any time of the day and this just came on as I opened a bottle of pre-dinner red wine. 
Posted 7 years ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
Please don't ever confuse Billie Holiday with David Clayton Thomas & Blood, Sweat and Tears.
 
Highlowsel wrote:

Indeed.  I mean no disrespect to Lady Billie but I've always kind'a liked, better, BST's version of this.  Or maybe it's the version I heard first way back when.  Regardless, a great tune with a ton of relevance (still) today.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 


Posted 7 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
Is it Billie... or is it David Sedaris?
Posted 7 years ago by Red_Dragon    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It's called sarcasm:
"In her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. She indicated that during the argument her mother said the line '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 in conjunction with her cowriter Arthur Herzog, Jr."

 
Came here to look up the lyrics. They didn't help much. Saw this. It helped a lot!
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 boontonite wrote:
This is great, as is the Blood, Sweat & Tears version from the 70's

 
Indeed.  I mean no disrespect to Lady Billie but I've always kind'a liked, better, BST's version of this.  Or maybe it's the version I heard first way back when.  Regardless, a great tune with a ton of relevance (still) today.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen


Posted 7 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
God Bless Billie!
Posted 7 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

Perhaps you got it all backwards, it may be time to kiss your elbow.

 
Or maybe I didn't, and you already have.


Posted 8 years ago by ODAD    [ Reply ]
 ODAD wrote:
OK, I got it : this is the original, she wrote it. OK.
It still sounds to me me like someone's aged aunt is
singing along to BS&T on the radio.
 

 
Perhaps you got it all backwards, it may be time to kiss your elbow.
Posted 8 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
OK, I got it : this is the original, she wrote it. OK.
It still sounds to me me like someone's aged aunt is
singing along to BS&T on the radio.
 
Posted 8 years ago by ODAD    [ Reply ]
Luckily some words are timeless.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
This is great, as is the Blood, Sweat & Tears version from the 70's
Posted 8 years ago by boontonite    [ Reply ]
 onerb wrote:

Thanks for the insight. 

 
{#Cheers} Cheers
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It's called sarcasm:
"In her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. She indicated that during the argument her mother said the line '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 in conjunction with her cowriter Arthur Herzog, Jr."

 
Thanks for the insight. 
Posted 9 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
 onerb wrote:
What the heck is the message here? Shouldn't God be blessing the child who doesn't have his own?
 
It's called "sarcasm":
"In her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues, Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. She indicated that during the argument her mother said the line '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 in conjunction with her cowriter Arthur Herzog, Jr."
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 onerb wrote:
What the heck is the message here? Shouldn't God be blessing the child who doesn't have his own?

 
Be careful: your logic could lead to the kids moving back in!
Posted 9 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
What the heck is the message here? Shouldn't God be blessing the child who doesn't have his own?
Posted 9 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
Now ya talkin, Brotha!

This is where Sinatra learned "phrasing"
and her work with Prez? No words. 
Posted 9 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
The version by Blood, Sweat and Tears is also grand.
Posted 9 years ago by Nix    [ Reply ]
 no. no. no.

{#No}  {#No}  {#No}
Posted 9 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
Sublime
Posted 9 years ago by pamyoder    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
I was fascinated by Ms. Holliday's voice back when I worked in an old pub/music hall, my first job, just a 16 yr old repairing busted chairs from each nights' rowdy sing along stomps, the day time barkeep played her on the jukebox and man those songs sunk deep into my growing channels of memory, still great to recall... 

 
Great image. Sounds like the perfect time for a song like this.
Posted 9 years ago by OceanBlue    [ Reply ]
 daveesh wrote:
my mom saw billie holiday perform and, while she loved it, she said billie "seemed like she was on some sort of trip."

 
Well....in reading her bio it's apparent the lady's whole life was one big trip.  And not an entirely pleasant one, either.  Depending on Holiday's age when your Mother saw her I expect she most probably appeared a bit....battered.....by her long (life's) road of experiences.. If there's any truth to a Heaven she surely was an Angel trying in her fashion to get the hell back to it.....as I'd like to think we're all trying to do, each in our own fashion....

Highlow
American Net'Zen


Posted 9 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
music<3


Posted 9 years ago by betsyroks    [ Reply ]
Most familiarly performed by Blood, Sweat and Tears. Written by my great grandfather, Arthur Herzog.
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
Awful!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 daveesh wrote:
my mom saw billie holiday perform and, while she loved it, she said billie "seemed like she was on some sort of trip."

 

You think?{#Lol}
Posted 10 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Bless that voice
Posted 10 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Billie Holiday — God Bless The Child
On a ROLL. Love Billie Holiday, although my favorite version of this song is by Ray Charles. As Highlowsel said, BS&Ts version also good.
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
my mom saw billie holiday perform and, while she loved it, she said billie "seemed like she was on some sort of trip."
Posted 10 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
(My Roku player is about an hour behind the times, apparently, so this is just playing now for me.)

WOW, what a great sound. I am really glad to hear this in your rotation, Bill and Rebecca. Top of the charts for me! 
Posted 10 years ago by ferwoman    [ Reply ]
Inimitable? I think not...

https://www.openculture.com/2013/10/david-sedaris-sings-the-oscar-mayer-theme-song-in-the-voice-of-billie-holiday.html

{#Eek}
 

skindy wrote:
Oh, that classic, inimitable voice... {#Meditate}

 


Posted 10 years ago by johncartlidge    [ Reply ]
Love this..also like the old Blood Sweat and Tears rendition, too.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6bFqam9yas
Posted 10 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
I was fascinated by Ms. Holliday's voice back when I worked in an old pub/music hall, my first job, just a 16 yr old repairing busted chairs from each nights' rowdy sing along stomps, the day time barkeep played her on the jukebox and man those songs sunk deep into my growing channels of memory, still great to recall... 
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Wonderful.  And Madeleine Peyroux is just fine on her own.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches believes this song is good for the ears...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
by god when she was good she was GOOD!. Madelaine Peroux et al - back to school......
Posted 11 years ago by Old_Pat    [ Reply ]
aaaaahhhhh !!!!! billie{#Dance}{#Sunny}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Surprised to hear this! Great voice! 
Posted 11 years ago by PaoloManana    [ Reply ]
Oh, that classic, inimitable voice... {#Meditate}
Posted 11 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]