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Length: 3:56
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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
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.
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!
and God bless Billie
Pretty sure the extremes aren't deserved in either case.
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 ?
Love the BS&T version, which was the first I heard, but God Bless Billie!
Same here!!!
whenever Billie comes on
yep! Awaaay in the mainger! LOL
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."
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?
Yep, yep, yep.
whenever Billie comes on
Thank you, you two.
and God bless Billie
Thank you, you two.
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
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.
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.
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
Came here to look up the lyrics. They didn't help much. Saw this. It helped a lot!
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
Perhaps you got it all backwards, it may be time to kiss your elbow.
Or maybe I didn't, and you already have.
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.
It still sounds to me me like someone's aged aunt is
singing along to BS&T on the radio.
Thanks for the insight.
Cheers
Thanks for the insight.
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."
Be careful: your logic could lead to the kids moving back in!
This is where Sinatra learned "phrasing"
and her work with Prez? No words.
Great image. Sounds like the perfect time for a song like this.
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
You think?
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.
WOW, what a great sound. I am really glad to hear this in your rotation, Bill and Rebecca. Top of the charts for me!
https://www.openculture.com/2013/10/david-sedaris-sings-the-oscar-mayer-theme-song-in-the-voice-of-billie-holiday.html
skindy wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches believes this song is good for the ears...