GOD BLESS THE CHILD

“God Bless the Child” is a song written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. in 1939,

first recorded on May 9, 1941 under the Okeh label. Holiday’s version of the song was

honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1976. It was also included in the list of

Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National

Endowment for the Arts.

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 she 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. In Jazz Singing Will Friedwald indicates it as “sacred and profane” as it

references the Bible while indicating that religion seems to have no effect in making

people treat each other better. The lyrics refer to a Biblical verse, probably Luke 19:26.

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

Banjo Mountain