Motherless children have a hard time   When their mother's dead.   Motherless children have a hard time   When their mother's dead.   See them wander from door to door,   Lord, they don't got no place to go.   Nobody love you like your mother can   When your mother's dead.      Father will do the best he can   When your mother's dead.    Father will do the best he can   When your mother's dead.    Father will do the best he can   But some things, your father can't understand.   Nobody loves you like your mother can   When your mother's dead.      When your mother's dead   When your mother's dead, Lord   Nobody loves you like your mother can   When your mother's dead.      When your mother's dead.   When your mother's dead, Lord   Nobody loves you like your mother can   When your mother's dead.      Sister will do the best she can   When your mother's dead   Sister will do the best she can   But she'll go and leave you for another man   Nobody loves you like a mother can   When your mother's dead.      When your mother's dead   When your mother's dead   Nobody loves you like a mother can   When your mother's dead         When you mother's dead   When your mother's dead   Nobody wants you   Nobody needs you   Nobody loves you like a mother can   When your mother's dead