Motherless Children is another song from African-American sources. They learned the song from Leslie Riddle.

The songs is from S.C. Brown- words and Charles Dryscoll- Music in 1904. Othere songs set a precedent such as the 1883 "Be Kind to the Motherless Child"

MOTHERLESS CHILDREN- Carter Family

Motherless children sees a hard time when their mother is dead
Motherless children sees a hard time when their mother is dead
They are driven out in the cold, God knows where to go
Motherless children sees a hard time when their mother is dead

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Orphan children sees a hard time in this world
Orphan children sees a hard time in this world
Sister does the best she can, but she really don't understand
Orphan children sees a hard time in this world

Brother won't treat you like mother will when your mother is dead
Brother won't treat you like mother will when your mother is dead
You may ask for a piece of bread, you are told to go to bed
Motherless children sees a hard time when their mother is dead

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Orphan children sees a hard time in this world
Orphan children sees a hard time in this world
Sister does the best she can, but she really don't understand
Orphan children sees a hard time in this world

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Friends won't treat you like mother will when your mother is dead
Friends won't treat you like mother will when your mother is dead
They will tell you what to do, but they'll turn their back on you
Motherless children sees a hard time when their mother is dead

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Orphan children sees a hard time in this world
Orphan children sees a hard time in this world
Sister does the best she can, but she really don't understand
Orphan children sees a hard time in this world