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   Pain and sorrow 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   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