103rd birthday of Billie Holiday

(Born 7 April 1915, Philadelphia, US)

Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe

“Lady Day”! One of the most outstanding singers of the 20th century with a unique voice, “uncoverable”, a critic intones, and composer/co-composer of especially the following classics: “Lady sings the blues”, “God bless the child”, “Fine and mellow”

(Billie Holiday & Orchestra, “God bless the child” [personnel: Holiday, vocals; rest of personnel/recording date/other details unavailable])

Lyrics of “God bless the child” (Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog, Jr)

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

 

(Multiinstrumentalist Eric Dolphy here plays “God bless the child” [composed by Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog, Jr] [personnel: Dolphy, bass clarinet; recorded: live, University of Illinoi, Champaign, Illinoi,  10 March 1963]) 

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