God Bless the Child

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)