God Bless The Child
| PROFILE | |
| Songwriters | Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog, Jr. |
| Year Written | 1939 |
| About God Bless The Child | |
| “God Bless The Child” is indelibly associated with Billie Holiday, who co-wrote the song. She first recorded it in 1941 on the Okeh label with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra (which featured Roy Eldridge on trumpet). It’s a notable blues song, with more than a nod to hymn singing. | |
Lyrics
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
That’s got his own
Session / Album Information
1959
“God Bless The Child” was recorded on October 28, 1959. It was an outtake from the album Tony Sings For Two and features Ralph Sharon on piano.
This recording released on:
- 2011: Disc #1 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK1) Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1
1995
“God Bless The Child” was recorded in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Billie Holiday. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1995: Columbia CD: CK 67349 — Here’s To The Ladies (1995)
- 1996: Columbia CD: SRCS-7936 — Here’s To The Ladies [Japan]
- 2011: Disc #62 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK60) Here’s To The Ladies
1996
“God Bless The Child” was recorded in June 1996 and released in 1997 on the album Tony Bennett On Holiday. This recording is a “duet” with Billie Holiday, based on her recording of the song with the Count Basie Orchestra.
This recording released on:
- 1997: Columbia CD: CK 67774 — On Holiday
- 2011: Disc #63 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK61) On Holiday