Written by Billie Holiday Then that's got shall get, them that's not shall loose, so the Bible said and it still is news. Mama may have, papa may have, but God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own. Well the strong gets more, while the weak ones fade, empty pokets don't ever make the grade. Mama may have, papa may have, but God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own. Money, you've got lots of friends crowding round your door when it's gone and spending ends they don't come round no more Rich relations give crusts of bread and such you can help yourself but don't take too much Mama may have, papa may have, but God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own.