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Blood, Sweat & Tears — God Bless The Child
Album: Blood Sweat & Tears
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1014









Released: 1972
Length: 5:51
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Them that's got, shall get
Them that's not, shall lose
So the Bible said
And it still is news

Mama may have and Papa may have
God bless the child
That's got his own will
That's got his own

And the strong seem to get more
While the weak one's fade
Empty pockets don't
Ever make the grade

As Mama may have
And Papa may have
God bless the child
That's got his own
That's got his own

And when you got money
You got a lots of friends
They're crowdin' 'round your door

When the money's gone
And all you're spendin' ends
They won't be 'round any more
No, no, no more

And rich relations may give you
A crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much

Mama may have
And Papa may have
But God bless the child
That's got his own
That's got his own

And when you got money
You got a lots of friends
They're crowdin' 'round your door
But wait a minute [Incomprehensible]

When the money's gone
And all you're spendin' ends
They won't be 'round any more
No, no, no more

And rich relations may give you
A crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much

Mama may have
And Papa may have
But God bless the child
Who can stand up and say
I've got my own

Every child's got to have his own wealth
Comments (110)add comment
Making a shoe out of it, Spinning Wheel next. Please!
I'd be good with that horn bridge lasting about ten more minutes.
it just dawned on me, that this a cover of Lady Day, a godlike cover at that. 
David Clayton Thomas: one of the greatest soul/Jazz/Blues voices ever!

Certainly one of Canadas' greatest Musical talents.
You're gonna make me flashback to 1969, aren't you?
And the great Jim Fielder on bass!
i adore this band. wow. hearing this makes me feel like i'm 8 yrs old lisening to the album on my parent's hi-fi in the living room on the shag carpet.
Great Granddaddy in the Sky bless the musician who has a Hammond B3!
 garyalex wrote:

If you've never heard Billie Holiday sing this song, you haven't really heard it.


Billie's original version is played here regularly.  This is a great cover though. 
Wow, I had no idea BS&T could swing like this!
 garrettb wrote:


Interesting, but not for me (unless I hear it a bunch of times more and then it starts to grow on me...)
I was only familiar with Billie Holiday's version.
This is... different :)
Not sure how I feel about the changes in style and rhythm throughout - they almost seem to do it for the sake of it.



This is the first version that I had ever heard. I was 14yrs old at the time & bought the album. I wore it out & had to buy a 2nd copy, LOL(no kidding)!  And NOW I love the Billie Holiday version!!  I had never heard of her in 1969.


Interesting, but not for me (unless I hear it a bunch of times more and then it starts to grow on me...)
I was only familiar with Billie Holiday's version.
This is... different :)
Not sure how I feel about the changes in style and rhythm throughout - they almost seem to do it for the sake of it.
 timmus wrote:

Hearing a bit of early Chicago in here.  BTW why doesn't RP play Chicago?  Their early stuff from the late 1960s and early 1970s was phenomenal stuff.



you can downlead some to them or request via email 
Shake them trumpets!! 
Hearing a bit of early Chicago in here.  BTW why doesn't RP play Chicago?  Their early stuff from the late 1960s and early 1970s was phenomenal stuff.
no mention of David Clayton Thomas on their website...very sad as he was the big voice
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

We counter culture revolutionaries were supposed to despise post-Al Kooper BS&T because a) the band was comprised of formally trained musicians and b) Tricky Dick sent them to the Soviet Union to support détente. But I did anyway and still do.

Cranked! Sorry snowbird neighbors. And thanks, RP!


First time I have heard BS&T on RP....more of them please Bill

We counter culture revolutionaries were supposed to despise post-Al Kooper BS&T because a) the band was comprised of formally trained musicians and b) Tricky Dick sent them to the Soviet Union to support détente. But I did anyway and still do.

Cranked! Sorry snowbird neighbors. And thanks, RP!
These guys were actually all over the radio for awhile during the few best and most care-free summers of my childhood, and well I remember Mom and Dad drinking and singing along with their friends down at the pizza pub every weekend. Their kids, and my brother and I, too, would sing along. It felt like a fun and vital ritual.
Ahh but those were different times...
Wow! I'm back in Linden High School again listening to WABC and WNEW FM.  Thanks Bill! 
While BS&T didn't achieve the fame or longevity of Chicago their horn section was waayyyy better IMHO.
 steveinmaine wrote:

Holy Smokes! This was the first album that I ever bought that had any resemblence to jazz. I'm thinkin' high school here. Even though this song really belongs to Billy Holiday, David Clayton Thomas does a great job with it. Thanks again, Radio Paradise! The check's in the mail.



agreed on all accounts.
i'm just excited to reply to a posting made 19 years ago!
 garyalex wrote:

If you've never heard Billie Holiday sing this song, you haven't really heard it.



Well yeah, it's her song. This is just a delightfully weird-ass cover. :)
Always loved this album. It is sitting about four feet from me, come to think of it.
¡Sangre, sudor y lágrimas!
I really like David Clayton-Thomas' voice. All the hits I enjoyed were sung by him. 
could that "[Incomprehensible]" be "children"? That's what I hear!
 daveesh wrote:
wow... it's been a while for this one. got to know al kooper fairly well working at berklee. pretty cool guy. in three years, i only once saw him without sunglasses.
 
Saw him with his band the Rekooperators (sp) at Harper's Ferry in Allston, MA, late '90s.
High school anthem ... BS&T in the 8-track, heading to the beach ... God that was a long time ago.
 eileenomurphy wrote:
GREAT  tune. ...actually released in 1968!  
 
And, Billie Holiday does it better!
GREAT  tune. ...actually released in 1968!  
If you've never heard Billie Holiday sing this song, you haven't really heard it.
 unclehud wrote:
HORNS! 

Well-arranged version of a classic blues-rock standard.

BS&T and Chicago were favorite bands of all high school band members back then.
 
What unclehud said. 
Hey Bill, how about playing some early BS&T with Al Kooper and Randy Brecker?
This blew away my low expectations. This is real good.
HORNS! 

Well-arranged version of a classic blues-rock standard.

BS&T and Chicago were favorites of all us high school band members.
Just moved from a 7 to an 8.  Really enjoying this blast from my younger years.
 aelfheld wrote:
I'd forgotten that horrid bridge.
 
I kinda like the bridge. 
I'd forgotten that horrid bridge.
 kcar wrote:

But then I read your post and got to {#Roflol} and {#Clap} , so this song can't be that bad! The jazzy instrumental riffs are cheesy these days but I still like this song. 

Sorry...can I put you on hold for a mo?


 
Funny!  I'm sticking with an 8 rate on this....it's jazzy, bright and almost 6 minutes long...what's not to like?  Long Live RP!!
 dctrpunda wrote:

This would make good hold music, I mean just this song, repeated, maybe 4, 5 even 9 times depending on how much you would want to really rile the customer

From this {#Whistle} to {#Rolleyes} to {#Eek}  to  {#Stop} to {#Arghhh} to finally this {#Fire}


At that point, have the rep answer only to transfer you back to the same song again. Repeat as needed depending on how big of a monopoly you are.

 "God bless the chiiiiiild...yes you are in hell, you are in hell" (play horns). 



 
But then I read your post and got to {#Roflol} and {#Clap} , so this song can't be that bad! The jazzy instrumental riffs are cheesy these days but I still like this song. 

Sorry...can I put you on hold for a mo?


Nostalgia time. I wonder if I still have my original vinyl of this? It must be around here somewhere ...


 ronniegirl wrote:
There is no Al Kooper on RP. Oh my. New York City ... I have never forgetten that song, since I was living at Sandy Hook in 1974 and looking at the skyline. Please someone upload it.
 
In reference to the sessions with Dylan, Kooper said he didn't even know how to turn a Hammond B3 on at the time.  He was lucky it was already on.  When he started playing the guys in the booth told him to shut it down, but Dylan (being Dylan) had already heard enough to know it belonged.

 

yes, i am satisfied for somebody to have the happy idea to bring to the scene of the RP Station, the "Blood Sweat & Tears"; this band belongs to the group of that they are not, nor had never been, ephemeral!

** 8 **


This would make good hold music, I mean just this song, repeated, maybe 4, 5 even 9 times depending on how much you would want to really rile the customer

From this {#Whistle} to {#Rolleyes} to {#Eek}  to  {#Stop} to {#Arghhh} to finally this {#Fire}


At that point, have the rep answer only to transfer you back to the same song again. Repeat as needed depending on how big of a monopoly you are.

 "God bless the chiiiiiild...yes you are in hell, you are in hell" (play horns). 


 billbangert wrote:
BS & T?? WTF?  This is horrible.  Tuning away now.
 
Well, this old boy in Georgia is cranking it up.  This is an excellent song from and excellent album.  Back in the day when there was such a thing as a format to an album.

Thanks Bill...


 westslope wrote:
Yes, strong on nostalgia.  So when do we play Joe Cocker and Chicago?  
 
Or that Elvis guy?
BS & T?? WTF?  This is horrible.  Tuning away now.
Terri Gross did a great interview with Al Kooper years ago. He talked about all sorts of things including how he snuck into the recording sessions for Highway 61. (Kooper had hoped to play guitar on the album but realized he couldn't hold a candle to Mike Bloomfield. Instead he tried to fumble his way through playing the Hammond organ; Dylan used Kooper's playing even though it was obvious to experienced Hammond players that Kooper didn't know what he was doing).

At one point, Terri asked Al how he felt about being replaced as lead singer by David Clayton Thomas on BS&T. Kooper agreed that Thomas was a much better singer but said something like "Here's the thing: I never believed a word he sang." Al took the words right out of my mouth on that topic. 

ronniegirl wrote:

There is no Al Kooper on RP. Oh my. New York City ... I have never forgetten that song, since I was living at Sandy Hook in 1974 and looking at the skyline. Please someone upload it.




Old...and no good {#Yawn}
Yes, strong on nostalgia.  So when do we play Joe Cocker and Chicago?  

absolute perfection....wonderful!
8 for the nostalgia factor I would love to hear Sometimes in Winter...
oldpew wrote:
May I suggest the Ray Charles version, please.
This one's just perfect for me.
Alpine wrote:
LOVE THIS! MAKING MY SKIN CRAWL.
MINE, TOO! But not because I love it. . . .
LOVE THIS! MAKING MY SKIN CRAWL.
Ughh not what I want to hear on RP.
oldpew wrote:
May I suggest the Ray Charles version, please.
Agreed. Or Billie Holiday.
ndg wrote:
Have to agree.
This version of this song is second only to Billie Holiday's. Thanks RP!
With the "Tasty Bros" on trumpet?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! God Bless the Child... God Bless RP! There isn't a single note on this whole album that isn't magical. I love every second of it!
godlike~!
There is no Al Kooper on RP. Oh my. New York City ... I have never forgetten that song, since I was living at Sandy Hook in 1974 and looking at the skyline. Please someone upload it.
Liked this band, but this version is God awful!!!
Horrible !
Aw, Bill, thanks for the memory! I adored BS&T. What a time in my life! I went to see BS&T about 12 years ago...took my FIRST BS&T concert program (1972?) and had them sign it. They loved it!! Do those horns RAWK or what?? Great Hammond B-3, too.
steeler wrote:
I just checked -- no Laura Nyro on RP. That seems like it should be corrected.
The first concert I ever went to was Laura in November 1970 at the old Guthrie Theater in Mpls. Agree! Get some Laura on RP! BS&T is good to hear too.
Haven't heard this one 4 EV-VA.
papaman wrote:
thats got his own what?
bell, i think.
AK out - DCT in was the beginning of the end for this otherwise stellar lineup. That said, this ain't bad.
hippiechick wrote:
Laura Nyro...sigh I played the hell outta this album as a youngun.
so did I
epod34 wrote:
I remember when I went to see BS&T at Fillmore East and didn't know that Al Kooper was gone and David Clayton Thomas was the singer. Boy, was I upset. Until I settled in and heard this man sing. Damn, this guy sings!
And he's still doin' it from his hometown, Toronto. For you Yankees, he's singing in Lowell, Mass., next month.
hippiechick wrote:
Laura Nyro...sigh I played the hell outta this album as a youngun.
I just checked -- no Laura Nyro on RP. That seems like it should be corrected.
We should so get Lisa's version up here....the movie is coming out tomorrow afterall.
thats got his own what?
da da da ta da!
wow... it's been a while for this one. got to know al kooper fairly well working at berklee. pretty cool guy. in three years, i only once saw him without sunglasses.
Laura Nyro...sigh I played the hell outta this album as a youngun.
Damn this sounds good. Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!
May I suggest the Ray Charles version, please.
First time I've heard this on RP. Excellent.
Rate 10 for Billy and 7 goes to David
The BS&T version was my introduction to this song, but I have since discovered the myriad covers (and original) of the Billie Holiday classic. I still like the BS&T cover, but it would be fun to hear the original or another cover right along side it.
Never really liked BST back in the day, but it sounds so nice this morning.
A great favorite. Good to hear Clayton Thomas again -- or as I used to call him, \"The Man in the Iron Neck.\"
God, Bill you just warped me back 30 years with this. THANK YOU
will forever remind me of simpsons sing the blues...
Originally Posted by bmrosen: Damn can those guys play!
I remember when I went to see BS&T at Fillmore East and didn't know that Al Kooper was gone and David Clayton Thomas was the singer. Boy, was I upset. Until I settled in and heard this man sing. Damn, this guy sings!
Bill, that segue from Sigur Ros in BST was brilliant.
Love those horns - this version is much better than the one I have on my \"Musica de la Rock\" LP - it was a shorter version. I dig the solos in this one. How about some Lucrecia McEvil?
So nice to hear this. To put on a BS&T CD would be too much BS&T, but it\'s so tasty to hear this tune here.
This is everything a good cover should be. Blood, Sweat, and Tears did a fine job of covering this Billie classic. My hats off!
Originally Posted by sacarmic: Actually, Yeardley Smith does a good version as Lisa Simpon on one of their cd's. :)
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT !! :D And Yardley's a babe to boot.. anyone ever see Herman's Head on fox? ... yeah I know.. Fox.. the OTHER OTHER white meat... :)
Actually, Yeardley Smith does a good version as Lisa Simpon on one of their cd\'s. :)
Very nice, but it\'s true. Nobody....nobody can touch Billie Holiday\'s version of this song.
:( Mega sucko barfo yucko! I know why you always play it at night or early in the morning.
A Classic! Great musicianship and vocals. Mix of jazz, blues, this song has it all. Keep playing this. A little maturity in musical taste is a good thing, and the young whippersnappers will never learn if they never hear.
Ugh! I feel sick. I think I have to throw up Stuff like that makes me instantly change the station.
I absolutely love the jazz parts of the song!
I feel sick. Yuck! What on earth is that? Is that Radio Paradise or an Old People\'s Home?
This was my first recorded cassette tape I bought. Haven\'t heard most of these songs in years! Thanks.
Holy Smokes! This was the first album that I ever bought that had any resemblence to jazz. I'm thinkin' high school here. Even though this song really belongs to Billy Holiday, David Clayton Thomas does a great job with it. Thanks again, Radio Paradise! The check's in the mail.
A forgotten classic, it\'s good to hear this one again. :)