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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1089









Released: 1972
Length: 5:51
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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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 (113)add comment
A really top-notch cover of a Billie Holiday classic.
Posted 3 months ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:

GREAT  tune. ...actually released in 1968!  



I thought '72 was wrong.
Posted 6 months ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 pdibby wrote:

could that "[Incomprehensible]" be "children"? That's what I hear!



Pretty sure it is. Always thought so.
Posted 6 months ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
Making a shoe out of it, Spinning Wheel next. Please!
Posted 8 months ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
I'd be good with that horn bridge lasting about ten more minutes.
Posted 10 months ago by mgtom    [ Reply ]
it just dawned on me, that this a cover of Lady Day, a godlike cover at that. 
Posted 1 year ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
David Clayton Thomas: one of the greatest soul/Jazz/Blues voices ever!

Certainly one of Canadas' greatest Musical talents.
Posted 1 year ago by Rstrickster    [ Reply ]
You're gonna make me flashback to 1969, aren't you?
And the great Jim Fielder on bass!
Posted 1 year ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Great Granddaddy in the Sky bless the musician who has a Hammond B3!
Posted 2 years ago by BillE    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 2 years ago by lewisv66    [ Reply ]
Wow, I had no idea BS&T could swing like this!
Posted 2 years ago by ginger    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]


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.
Posted 2 years ago by garrettb    [ Reply ]
 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 
Posted 2 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
Shake them trumpets!! 
Posted 2 years ago by k3rmit    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
no mention of David Clayton Thomas on their website...very sad as he was the big voice
Posted 2 years ago by Yiungdrac    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 2 years ago by Yiungdrac    [ Reply ]

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!
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Wow! I'm back in Linden High School again listening to WABC and WNEW FM.  Thanks Bill! 
Posted 3 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
While BS&T didn't achieve the fame or longevity of Chicago their horn section was waayyyy better IMHO.
Posted 3 years ago by ImaOldman    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 3 years ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
 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. :)
Posted 3 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Always loved this album. It is sitting about four feet from me, come to think of it.
Posted 3 years ago by Fiddlefye    [ Reply ]
¡Sangre, sudor y lágrimas!
Posted 3 years ago by xc.farmer.antoine486    [ Reply ]
I really like David Clayton-Thomas' voice. All the hits I enjoyed were sung by him. 
Posted 3 years ago by kcatalina    [ Reply ]
could that "[Incomprehensible]" be "children"? That's what I hear!
Posted 3 years ago by pdibby    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 3 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
High school anthem ... BS&T in the 8-track, heading to the beach ... God that was a long time ago.
Posted 3 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:
GREAT  tune. ...actually released in 1968!  
 
And, Billie Holiday does it better!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
GREAT  tune. ...actually released in 1968!  
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
If you've never heard Billie Holiday sing this song, you haven't really heard it.
Posted 4 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 4 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Hey Bill, how about playing some early BS&T with Al Kooper and Randy Brecker?
Posted 4 years ago by ImaOldman    [ Reply ]
This blew away my low expectations. This is real good.
Posted 4 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
HORNS! 

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

BS&T and Chicago were favorites of all us high school band members.
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Just moved from a 7 to an 8.  Really enjoying this blast from my younger years.
Posted 5 years ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
I'd forgotten that horrid bridge.
 
I kinda like the bridge. 
Posted 5 years ago by youngers    [ Reply ]
I'd forgotten that horrid bridge.
Posted 5 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 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!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 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?


Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]

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


Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 15 years ago by caregiver    [ Reply ]

 

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 **


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

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). 


Posted 16 years ago by dctrpunda    [ Reply ]
 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...


Posted 16 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Yes, strong on nostalgia.  So when do we play Joe Cocker and Chicago?  
 
Or that Elvis guy?
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
BS & T?? WTF?  This is horrible.  Tuning away now.
Posted 16 years ago by billbangert    [ Reply ]
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.




Posted 16 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Old...and no good {#Yawn}
Posted 16 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Yes, strong on nostalgia.  So when do we play Joe Cocker and Chicago?  

Posted 16 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
absolute perfection....wonderful!
Posted 16 years ago by Alifreckles50    [ Reply ]
8 for the nostalgia factor I would love to hear Sometimes in Winter...
Posted 16 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
oldpew wrote:
May I suggest the Ray Charles version, please.
This one's just perfect for me.
Posted 16 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
LOVE THIS! MAKING MY SKIN CRAWL.
MINE, TOO! But not because I love it. . . .
Posted 16 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
LOVE THIS! MAKING MY SKIN CRAWL.
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Ughh not what I want to hear on RP.
Posted 16 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
oldpew wrote:
May I suggest the Ray Charles version, please.
Agreed. Or Billie Holiday.
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
ndg wrote:
Have to agree.
Posted 16 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
This version of this song is second only to Billie Holiday's. Thanks RP!
Posted 16 years ago by joanie    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by ndg    [ Reply ]
With the "Tasty Bros" on trumpet?
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by Ja300Mes    [ Reply ]
godlike~!
Posted 17 years ago by godspeed    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
Liked this band, but this version is God awful!!!
Posted 17 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
Horrible !
Posted 17 years ago by Echinoderme    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this one 4 EV-VA.
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
papaman wrote:
thats got his own what?
bell, i think.
Posted 17 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
AK out - DCT in was the beginning of the end for this otherwise stellar lineup. That said, this ain't bad.
Posted 17 years ago by E_A_D_G    [ Reply ]
hippiechick wrote:
Laura Nyro...sigh I played the hell outta this album as a youngun.
so did I
Posted 17 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
We should so get Lisa's version up here....the movie is coming out tomorrow afterall.
Posted 17 years ago by sunnysoul03    [ Reply ]
thats got his own what?
Posted 17 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
da da da ta da!
Posted 17 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Laura Nyro...sigh I played the hell outta this album as a youngun.
Posted 17 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Damn this sounds good. Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
May I suggest the Ray Charles version, please.
Posted 21 years ago by oldpew    [ Reply ]
First time I've heard this on RP. Excellent.
Posted 21 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Rate 10 for Billy and 7 goes to David
Posted 21 years ago by moon_shadow    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 21 years ago by LaChinchon    [ Reply ]
Never really liked BST back in the day, but it sounds so nice this morning.
Posted 21 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
A great favorite. Good to hear Clayton Thomas again -- or as I used to call him, \"The Man in the Iron Neck.\"
Posted 21 years ago by richard_m    [ Reply ]
God, Bill you just warped me back 30 years with this. THANK YOU
Posted 21 years ago by R3aliti    [ Reply ]
will forever remind me of simpsons sing the blues...
Posted 21 years ago by palindrome    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 21 years ago by epod34    [ Reply ]
Bill, that segue from Sigur Ros in BST was brilliant.
Posted 21 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 21 years ago by tbase    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 21 years ago by GregX59    [ Reply ]
This is everything a good cover should be. Blood, Sweat, and Tears did a fine job of covering this Billie classic. My hats off!
Posted 21 years ago by justDave    [ Reply ]
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... :)
Posted 21 years ago by TreborG2    [ Reply ]
Actually, Yeardley Smith does a good version as Lisa Simpon on one of their cd\'s. :)
Posted 21 years ago by sacarmic    [ Reply ]
Very nice, but it\'s true. Nobody....nobody can touch Billie Holiday\'s version of this song.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
:( Mega sucko barfo yucko! I know why you always play it at night or early in the morning.
Posted 22 years ago by splacknuck    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 22 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
Ugh! I feel sick. I think I have to throw up Stuff like that makes me instantly change the station.
Posted 22 years ago by splacknuck    [ Reply ]
I absolutely love the jazz parts of the song!
Posted 22 years ago by surfingump    [ Reply ]
I feel sick. Yuck! What on earth is that? Is that Radio Paradise or an Old People\'s Home?
Posted 22 years ago by splacknuck    [ Reply ]
This was my first recorded cassette tape I bought. Haven\'t heard most of these songs in years! Thanks.
Posted 22 years ago by BOSS302man    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 22 years ago by steveinmaine    [ Reply ]
A forgotten classic, it\'s good to hear this one again. :)
Posted 22 years ago by Cy    [ Reply ]