Your daddy will do the best he can when your mother is dead
Your daddy will do the best he can when your mother is dead
Your daddy will do the best he can
But there's so many things your daddy can't understand
Motherless children have a hard time when your mother is dead

Some people say your sister will do when your mother is dead
Some people say your sister will do when your mother is dead
Some people say your sister will do
Soon as she's married turn her back on you
Motherless children have a hard time when your mother is dead

Your wife or your husband will be good to you when your mother is dead
Your wife or your husband will be good to you when your mother is dead
Your wife or your husband will be good to you
But nobody loves you like your mother do
Your motherless children have a hard time when your mother is dead

Dig my grave with a bloody spade when I'm dead
Dig my grave with a bloody spade when I'm dead
Dig my grave with a bloody spade
Please make sure the digger gets paid
Your motherless children have a hard time when your mother is dead

Jesus will be a mother to you when your mother is dead
Jesus will be a mother to you when your mother is dead
Jesus will be a mother to you
Through the trials and tribulations will he see you through
Motherless children have a hard time when your mother is dead

by Blind Willie Johnson, arranged by Dave Van Ronk