A D A  A D (x2)
  A E D F   A D A  A D
        A                                           D                        A                                A  D
        Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord
        A                                           D                        A                                A  D
        Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord
        A                               E                   D                                     F
        They don't have anywhere to go - wandering around from door to door
        A                                       D                                   A                                A  D
        Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord

        Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord
        Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord
        Father will do the best he can, so many things a father can't understand
        Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord
                              *Solo*  (verse)

        Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord
        Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord
        Sister will do the best she can, so many things a sister can't understand
        Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead

        A                                         D                 A                       D
        When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead
        When your mother is dead, lord, when your mother is dead
        When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead
        When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead...
                                *Outro*  (verse)