Sunday’s Sermon ~ God Bless The Child ~ Blood, Sweat & Tears

Written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Hertzog Jr.

BS&T’s version was released off there second album in Dec. 1968.

In 1970 it won a Grammy Award for Album of the year.

David Clayton-Thomas – lead vocals Lew Soloff – trumpet, flugelhorn
Bobby Colomby – drums, percussion, vocals
Jim Fielder – bass
Dick Halligan – organ, piano, flute, trombone, vocals
Steve Katz – guitar, harmonica, Fred Lipsius – alto saxophone, piano
Chuck Winfield – trumpet, flugelhorn
Jerry Hyman – trombone, recorder

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All I can say is ” Lady Day ” certainly knew what she was talking about when she wrote this song. Every single word contained in it rings the absolute truth.

It has been covered by at least 50 artists. But it was BS&T’s version ( outside of Holiday’s ) and arrangement of the song for me defined even a little more magic out of it.

Billie 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 Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Billie Holiday’s life story in itself defined a horrific series of events from day one. This woman lived the Blues in every essence of the word. Maybe that’s why she was so ingenious in singing them.

Bio

It’s a shame that all the awards and honers bestowed upon her came posthumously.

Blood, Sweat & Tears did her very proud with their rendition.

Them that’s got shall get
Them that’s not shall lose
So the Bible said 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 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

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