God Bless the Child
- For the single, see God Bless the Child (album).
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Song Information
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God Bless the Child is the sixth track on the album The Simpsons Sing the Blues. It is a jazz song originally performed and co-written by Billie Holliday. On the album, it is sung by Lisa with help from Bleeding Gums Murphy. The recording engineer's voice is none other than the show's creator Matt Groening but he was not credited. A promotional single featuring this song was made.
Lyrics
- Lisa:
- Um, (clears throat) can you hear me in the booth?
- Recording engineer:
- Loud and clear, Lisa.
- Lisa:
- Oh, good. Thank you, sir, for letting me be in a real studio. It's a genuine thrill, sir.
- (a synthesizer starts playing an introduction)
- Could I trouble you with one request?
- Recording engineer:
- Sure thing.
- Lisa:
- No synthetic sound, please. I want all live musicians.
- (A combo enters the studio and starts playing.)
- Them that's got shall get,
- 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 more
- While the weak ones fade.
- Empty pockets don't,
- They never make the grade.
- Mama may have,
- Papa may have,
- But God bless the child
- That's got his own.
- That's got his own.
- When you've got money,
- You've got lots of friends
- Crowding round the door.
- But when it's gone,
- And all spending ends,
- Oh, they don't come round 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,
- God bless the child
- That's got his own.
- That's got his own.
- Bleeding Gums:
- Well, that was lovely, Miss Lisa. Very soulful.
- Lisa:
- Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
- Bleeding Gums:
- Now, let's play a lil' blues.
- (Lisa and Bleeding Gums blow their horns)
Credits
Produced by John Boylan
Associate Producer: Jai Winding
Lead Vocal: Lisa (Yeardley Smith)
Additional Vocals: "Bleeding Gums" Murphy (Ron Taylor)
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Fretless Bass: Mark Leonard
Keyboards, Programming: Jai Winding
Additional Programming: John Boylan
Drums: Michael Botts
Synclavier: Brian Mendelsohn
Baritone Sax (Lisa): Doug Norwine
Alto Sax (B.G. Murphy): Kim Richmond
Recorded at Lion Share Studios, West Hollywood
Engineers: Guy DeFazio, Paul Grupp
Mixed at The Complex, West Los Angeles
Engineers: Mick Guzauski
Assistants: Brett Swain
Written by Arthur Herzog, Jr./Billie Holiday and published ℗ 1941 Edward B. Marks Music Corp. BMI
