Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II

Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II – Motherless Children – Live In San Diego, 2007.

This combination is a winner, Eric, Derek, Doyle, and this drummer is ready for anything!

So much talent on that stage. The rhythm section alone is as good as it gets – Steve Jordan on drums and the great Willie Weeks on bass. This must be heaven!

I hope the late great Blind Willie Johnson who originally recorded this 1927 is smiling down from heaven on all of the people who love the incredible music he created. It’s so sad that Blind Willie’s mother died when he was very young, and his stepmother blinded him permanently by splashing poison in his face when he was 7 years old. Blind Willie may have died broke, sick, blind and alone but his music will be around forever. I think Eric Clapton did a great job with this song, but the original one Blind Willie did will always be my favorite.

Lyrics:
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
They don’t have anywhere to go;
Wandering around from door to door.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.

Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can;
So many things a father can’t understand.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.

Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can;
So many things a sister can’t understand.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead.

When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead
When your mother is dead, Lord, when your mother is dead
When your mother is dead, Lord, when your mother is dead
When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead
When your mother is dead, Lord, when your mother is dead, lord

Songwriters: Raphael Saadiq / Taura Stinson / Traditional / Hubert Powell
Motherless Children lyrics © Notting Hill Music (uk) Ltd., Fox Film Music Corporation, Happy Valley Music, Sweet Roll Songs, Tcf Music Publishing Inc, E C Music Ltd, Throat Music Ltd