Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead
Wanderin' round from door to door
They don't have no place to go
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead

Some people say your sister will do
When your mother's dead
Some people say your sister will do
When your mother's dead
Some people say your sister will do
Soon as she marries, turn her back on you
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead

Some people say your auntie will do
When your mother's dead
Some people say your auntie will do
When your mother's dead
Some people say your auntie will do
Make a start, then prove untrue
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead
Your husband may do the best he can
When your mother's dead
Your husband may do the best he can
When your mother's dead
Your husband may do the best he can
But your husband don't understand
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead

Jesus will be a father to you
When your mother's dead
Jesus will be a father to you
When your mother's dead
Jesus will be a father to you
Through pain and sorrows, He'll lead you through
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead

Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead
I say motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead
Wanderin' round from door to door
They don't have no place to go
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead
Motherless children have a hard time
When their mother's dead