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 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