Motherless children run a hard road when yer mother's 
dead 
Motherless children run a hard road when yer mother is 
dead 
Motherless children run a hard road 
A hard road. a hard road 
Motherless children run a hard road when your mother is 
dead 

Your Father will do the best he can when your mother is 
dead 
Your Father will do the best he can when your mother is 
dead 
Your Father will do the best he can 
But he jus' does not understand 
Motherless children run a hard road when yer mother is 
dead 


An' some people say, "Your sister might do when 
your mother's dead." 
An' some people say, "Your sister might do when 
your mother is dead." 
Some people say "Your sister will do" 
Soon as she marries, turn yer back on you. 
Motherless children run a hard road when yer mother is 
dead 


You can dig my grave with a bloody spade when I'm dead 
You can dig my grave with a bloody spade when I'm dead 
You can dig my grave with a bloody spade 
See that my digger gets well paid 
Motherless children run a hard road when yer mother is 
dead 

Jesus won't be no mother to you when your mother is 
dead 
Jesus won't be no mother to you when your mother is 
dead 
Jesus won't be no mother to you 
His trials and tribulations won't see you through 
Motherless children run a hard road when yer mother is 
dead