God Bless the Child

General

Credits

For the single, see God Bless the Child (album).

God Bless the Child

Song Information Singers: Yeardley Smith Ron Taylor Characters: Lisa Simpson Bleeding Gums Murphy Length: 4:30 Writer(s): Arthur Herzog, Jr. Billie Holiday Album: The Simpsons Sing the Blues

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 Holiday. 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)

Appearances

• Album – The Simpsons Sing the Blues

Bleeding Gums Murphy albums and songs
Albums
Bleeding Gums Murphy and Señor Beaverotti LIVE at Wall-E Weasel's • Bleeding Gums Murphy Plays Freddie and the Dreamers' Greatest Hits • Blue Polka-Dots with Bleeding Gums Murphy • Broken Elevator Blues • Sax on the Beach
Songs
Can't Face Tomorrow • God Bless the Child • Jazzman • Moanin' Lisa Blues • Monk's New Tune • Scratch That Itch • The Star-Spangled Banner

The Simpsons Sing the Blues
Do the Bartman • School Day • Born Under a Bad Sign • Moanin' Lisa Blues • Deep, Deep Trouble • God Bless the Child • I Love to See You Smile • Springfield Soul Stew • Look at All Those Idiots • Sibling Rivalry
See also
The Simpsons Sing the Blues (book)