Well, I'm a motherless child
Lord, an I ain't got no friend at all
I'm a motherless child
Well, an I ain't got no friend at all
I smile through my tears
Some people think I'm havin' a ball But when I had money
I had friends for miles around
Now, when I had money
Lord, I had friends for miles around
But since I spent all my money
Lord, my friends all put me down

(harmonica & piano)

But that's alright
I'll take life with a smile
That's alright
People, I'll take life with a smile
For now I've gotten kind-a used to
Well, a-bein' just a motherless child.