God Bless the Child

By Billie Holiday & Arthut Herzog Jr.
1939

Perhaps Billie Holiday's most famous recording, and a song co-written by her, as well. Holiday would later indicate that the origin of the lyrics came with an argument over money she had with her mother, in which she uttered the title line. From there, she was inspired to build the entire song around it. It remains one of the most iconic of all standards, to be found in numerous movies, TV shows, and countless cover versions.

Lyrics:

Them that's got shall get,
Them that's not shall lose.
So the bible says,
And it still is true.

Momma may have,
Poppa may have,
But God bless the child that's got his own,
That's got his own.

Yeah, the strong gets more,
While the weak ones fade.
Empty pockets don't
Ever make the grade.

Momma may have,
Poppa may have,
But God bless the child that's got his own,
That's got his own

Money, you've got lots of friends
Crowdin' round the door.
When it's gone and spendin' ends,
They don't come no more.

Rich relations give
A crust of bread and such.
You can help yourself,
But don't take too much

Momma may have,
Poppa may have,
But God bless the child that's got his own,
That's got his own.

Recorded By:

Diana Ross
Anita O'Day
Lou Rawls
Crystal Gayle
Barbra Streisand