Added: 4 years ago
From: angii18
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  • Yes!!

  • OV Wright ftw

  • just a super song

  • The piano just mystifies the song. John's voice makes it memorable.

  • Beautiful, just beautiful.

  • This song is amazing. Gives me chills every time. God bless John Legend. He's sooo talented. delievered this song like it was his own. Wheww.

  • Love this song

  • increiblemente hermoso!!!!!

  • This song hits me deep within. It describes how we all feel at sometime in our lives and if you deny that then youre lying to yourself

  • I feel like a motherless child...more and more each day..

  • mmmm i love thing song from the bottom of my heart<3

  • MAGISTRALE!!!!!

  • everyone search baldy and burke and listen to their songs, soo good!

  • I love this song ! ! ! ! !

  • He is just amazing!!!

  • this is so beautiful! Don´t want the song to end! Great

  • I love the way that John sings this song better than anyone...he's amazing!

  • this touches my soul..thank You God for blessing him to share his gift!

  • Terribly beautiful, so soulful!!

  • RAW!!! My Testimony my gosh, I don't feel lost now 40yrs. young just hard@mama2one I feel ya tho~~~In my Jesus arms just wish it was a Mother to run2 hold me be that Mother I need & she not even deceased Hmmt selah

  • I have to have a dose of JL daily!

  • 2 thumps up. That's my Shit!

  • This song just moves you to a completely different place. Raw with emotion and loss.

  • amazing soul in that voice....can't help but relate

  • I love this song so much that I even remembered the dance "Grace Dance Theater" did 2 this song <3 !!!!!!

  • It is because the world is so full of war , that your peace of mind it's a gift.

    It is because the world is in such a despair , that your hope of optimism is a gift.

    It is because the world is so afraid,

    that your LOVE is a gift.

  • Stay blessed and don't forget you are a gift from God!.

    It is because the world is so full of suffering

    that your happiness is a gift.

    It is because the world is so full of poverty,

    your wealth is a gift.

    It is because the world is so unfriendly

    that your smile is a gift.

  • This goes to all of you that unfortunately Are or feel like a motherless child. My heart goes to all of you and I want you all to know that God will always be by you protecting you at all times!.You are here on this earth because God choose to& all of you are a gift and you are here for a purpose that only him would ever know.So i wrote this and I hope i bring some kind of comfort to all of you.

  • @iddy1065 wow amazing how words can inspire and touch, and be exactly what one needs to hear-and from a stranger. thank you so much <3

  • @iddy1065 their is no god stop being foolish. God only exist because people are scarred and don't know why their here. We're here because we have thoughts, that's it. We are just cosmic debris, floating about the cosmos. No rhyme or reason just molecules drifting about. Stop trying to figure it out and just be happy.

  • Then..She'd call....

  • Such a beautiful song, I cried when I saw him perform it at the Hope For Haiti Benefit Concert. I wish I could download it somewhere but I can't seem to find it. I'm glad that I can at least enjoy it here on youtube :-)

  • love it

  • feel like a motherless child mom pass in 2009 and my dad die 8 months later i feel sad all the time missing then both so much :::::: ((((((

  • @1231lulu My heart goes out to you! Please stay strong and remember that God will always be by your side.

  • this song is old.. and still made me cry and sad ..

  • I love this song and love it even more by John Legend

  • I am a motherless child, kinda. My mom is a drug addict that will dissapear for a few days. Shes been doing it since I've been 2 and I'm now 12.

  • @emogaaralover14 Just Know God is With You And It Will Be Ok

  • i luv this song and wen i listen to it i sit here and close my eyes and rock back and forth

  • (river of tears)

  • he inspire me so much!

  • ich hab echt sehr lange niemande mehr gesehen/gehört der so viel gefühl in seine songs bringt. Ist schon was besonderes..

    Und die Quali ist auhc nicht schlecht :)

  • can anyone do a video on howto play the keys of this song on the piano

  • beautiful talent.

  • pure emotion

  • if you feel like a motherless child, and you're not, your mom must be kind of a troll.

  • @timmay301 love this song was song by slaves. it is part of African American heritage. think a little bit deeper.

  • i think everyone who is saying that this rendition has lost its meaning is just trying to say, "i dont like it" in an 'educated' way. its ok to simply not like this rendition, nobody is gonna kill u. jst dnt say things like "its lost its meaning" when plenty of people retain a certain connection to this rendition. so, just because it's not exactly like or very closely related to the original doesnt mean it's not good or of good quality.

  • @zua92 Well spoken!

  • 9 people have bad hearing!!

  • @juicearibe now it 12 they must need hearing aids

  • @juicearibe you mean 12

    

  • Holy crap. I used to sing this in 2nd grad choir.

  • i awo you my man..

  • The tune of this song is lost in this modern R&B version,what's the obsession with new artists to sing off the tune thinking they are clever but ruining well loved songs.The best version of this song is by Tom Jones & Portishead from his Reload album,its sublime as Portishead give it a haunted feel and Tom retains the gospel essence of it.This is a male Christina Aguilera treatment of a fab song,totally lost in his R&B ego!Stick to playing piano mate!

  • @2HonestIam While I'd totally agree that this rendition has lost it's meaning and it's composers intent because of how it's harmonized and such, I DO NOT agree that Christina Aguilera should be used as an example here... The girl does a great jib anytime she's singing real music. I'm not going to defend her pop stuff, but hey it pays her bills. But listen to her and Herbie Hancock do "A Song For You" or her "A Christmas Song"... You can't tell me it has any meaning taken away by her arrangement!

  • @matthewharris065 My appologies,I meant he does similar R&B acrobatics on this and spoils it,I do like Christina,just annoying when she goes overboard on this new craze,done usually to avoid holding even sustained notes.She can sing well but like a lot of artists today,go down the lazy acrobatics road.Voice coaches hate it!Thanks I'll check her out,and thanks for being polite,many bite on here.

  • @2HonestIam Good Lord, there ARE intelligent people on youtube after all... lol Usually when you reply to a comment on here people do "bite"!!! But yeah, her with Herbie Hancock is definitely worth checking out...

  • strangely i would very much like to hear TOOL do a redition of this song. im curious about how Maynard James Keenan would go about perfprming this song.

  • KITSCH, BITCH

  • You're entitled to your opinions but he put his touch on it just like everyone in the past has. Dont be so quick to drop judgement!

  • immapost version of the song

  • This version of the song blows, does not do it justice. Boney M's version demonstrates how it's done, there's a remastered live vid of it on youtuve, plz do check it out

  • @bigmedge ehh

  • I am a motherless child.  I lost my mother at birth and I am not able to get over it. It has ruined my life. :'(

  • @kutolewabankai Just beginning? You have a long journey of soulful music to enjoy

  • ov wright thats where i know it from

    wu -tang has sampled from it ( ghostface killa )

  • How Powerful..

  • THIS SONG JUST MADE ME CRY......

  • first song in a long time that realy gets to me.

  • sometimes i feel like a motherless child

  • This a great cover I have heard 2 others and this blows them out of the water... But nothing beat the original by Sweetwater...

  • @Helyen13: This song is actually an old negro spiritual. Music legends such as Mahalia Jackson, Marian Anderson, Paul Roberson, and Odetta all previously recorded and preformed this song, in addition to the countless other folk.

  • @vmilitant Thanks for the Wikipedia info... And the reason I said what I said was because to me They did it the best so in my eyes it's the original...But I knew already it wasn't.....

  • this is my apsolute fave song

  • I am a motherless child.

  • This song was used in NANASE HUTATABI. A TV drama of Japan.

    I think this music is so beautiful.

  • I came on here to find a song to minister to me and this one did it!

  • Mahalia Jackson and John legend Really Hit me at Heart with this song. I NEVER Knew my Mother and I Hope, Wish and Pray to Someday See her.

    Rest In Peace Eartha Lee Hutchinson..

  • This version is off an unreleased CD that John Legand made before he became famous. I got a copy from a co-worker who grew up with his in Springfield, Ohio.

  • can someone put up a video on how to play this on a piano.please!!i love this song and plan on doing it for a talent show

  • than man is something special with a piano agree? like then

  • Love this man! he is a true legned

  • I LOVE this and the piano, production is superb, utterly

  • His voice is almost a perfect mixture of Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Natasha Bedingfield. Obviously he's an individual, but does anyone else hear it?

  • @DanielleJordan what a strange analogy...I have no idea what that would sound like, sorry!

  • i love this song i feel like this all the time my parents are pastors and there always gone im the last of 5 kids im bout to turn 16 on the 25 of april this month and they might not be able to make it and i ran and ran and the only person thats there for me is my boyfriend and this song makes me cry everytime.

  • @Charonmsmith That's nice and all. But this song has nothing to do with that. It's about the slaves.

  • this piano has a special sound!

    love it

  • I believe this was originally by Richie Havens. Either way the "freedom" is missing.

  • i love this song i got this song for ballet

  • His cover is WAY better <3

  • please lyricsssssssss, does anyones knows the lyrics?

  • Look up Mahalia Jackson, motherless child. You may find it there.. same song. John Legend just arranged it different.

  • i can relate sometimes i too feel like a motherless child but hey life throws obstacles at you for a reason because the endurement of a punishment is something we all long for because not all is strong all the time one love Haiti...

  • Not a fan of this rendition. I don't like the sacrifice of the slower music and more standalone vocals for this uptempo and stereotypically soulful version. It doesn't sound like he's a motherless child. It sounds like his main concerns for the cover were showing off his own vocals, and appealing to a more mainstream R&B audience. :/

    Thanks so very much for uploading! :)

  • Hey there! If you dig Motherless child, check out this guy Layden Robinson. He does a killer Raw version! :)

  • the original sound better O.V. Wright!

  • ov wright is not the original Fisk Jubilee Singers is the original...know your music history

  • I know you momma was the first to make my toes curl. Did you know that history you bitch ass nigga. Don't ever correct me!

  • Now there is an intelligent response. The people who don't wish to be corrected are the ones who, most often, need correcting.

  • I know for Damn sure the first time you heard that song wasn't in 1890. The first time you heard it was round the same time I first heard it. You went a googled that information to appear smarter than me and you getting checked....Stupid. WHat else do you know..... that's on google.

  • @skinnypi ur obviously mad cuz u cleary wrong lol salty ass goofy

  • Your obviously a motherless child. So your going to grow up to be a jigaloo!

  • u better b glad i dont know you cuz u would be one too

  • Tough talk little man. You know I'm your real daddy right so ...watch your mouth Son!

  • im not finna keep talkin to a shit talker on youtube come to the chi in the hood n talk goofy nigga ull get get yo blood splattered all ova da block. fuck wit it

  • I'm in the Chi right now Joe. Wild 100's get at me. You and your pussy ass guys!

  • I love it! I am crazy about this song. Great rendition. Is there an instrumental of this version?

  • lucky you! :-) jealous, very much soo

  • well, he's coming to g-ville, FL.. tomorrrrrrrrow!! and i'm most def going... ;]

  • word to yo mothaaaaa

  • An amazing interpretations! He definitely has the gift of music. Compelling....mindblowing....s­oul soothing.

  • right on point..

  • This version is incredible. Where can I get it?

  • on i-Tunes, it's 0.99 I believe. I have this version and isn't he incredible?

  • Thank You,

    Is it from the Knitting Factory CD? I think this version is much better than the Hope For Haiti one. It's pretty close to a perfect piece of music.

  • No unfortunately it's from the Hope for Haiti Soundtrack, they didn't offer hte other one on I-tunes. Itunes is too biased.

    And you're welcome! :-)

  • @XXXVideoVomit i downloaded this version about 4 years ago. he did a free concert around then and i got it on one of the free download servers. not sure if this helps.

  • he has so much verstility he has defiently set the bar 4 male vocalist like myself

  • The best version of this song is from Martin Gore.

  • Beatiful beyond words

  • Where can I find the version he sung for the Haiti telethon?

  • on I-tunes

  • Awesome song!  Great performance! at the Haiti event.

  • sounded like a boy

    he sounds like a man now.

  • nice

  • Of all songs Friday Night, this one had the greatest affect on me. I'm a 42 yr old father of a 3 year old. And when I see pictures of a little bodies covered in Haiti, that are the same length as my little boy, it breaks my heart. Or little ones that have lost one or both their parents, my heart aches. I don't even know what to say any more. Give if you can. If you dont grasp it, put the face of, the body of, the sweet smell of some little one you know there, imagine it happened to them.

  • @10553311 yea i feel yhuuuuu.!!

  • Comment removed

  • Great song!! I really loved it, I am a professional dancer and John legend has inspired me to do this piece for my chruch for a black history program. Thanks John for making this rendition, awesome. Wish I could dance live to your voice. Beautiful!!!

  • Really, I cried when i heard this song for the first time *-*

  • Amazing rendition of Richie Havens' Freedom...

    Definitely considering purchasing this...

  • I also heard this for the first time during the Haiti telethon. It made me cry my eyes out. Beautiful song. I had to purchase the song after hearing it.

  • his name is so true to what he does as an artist simply amazing

  • John performed this song so beautifully on the Haiti Relief fund raiser...such passion. His performance was my favorite by far. I didn't know much about this song until last night, but his performance made me purchase his rendition. John Legend is a talented musician, whose voice is one of a kind. Thank you for your contribution to the relief efforts, John Legend.

  • This song is so touching, it hit my soul. There are tears in my eyes right at this moment. Such a beautiful song. Please give to Haiti.

  • When I heard this in the Haiti Telethon I nearly cried.

  • absolutely unbelievable

  • I didn't know very much about John Legend until his performance on the Haiti telethon. His version has so much emotion and soul that it reveals the power of this 100+ year old song. What he accomplished shows me that he is a very talented musician. I'll be listening to John legend in the future.

  • As one of the classic Negro Spirituals, it really wakes up your collective unconscious. It's so sad! Being sold from your family in a foreign land or ripped out of your homeland, you can feel the emotions of our ancestors. This piece transcends time!

  • wow.this song is............beautiful. it made me cry. its memorable..

  • just so beautiful, moving and heartfelt song ... well done John Legend

  • John Legend's performance of this song on the Haiti telethon show tonight was AMAZING. Wait, hrlmshk21 -- U were there 2night?! I hate you!!

  • I'm crying just hearing this song. becuase people complain about alot But they don't see other that don't have anything and don't complain thinking the hope is still there . Let's be a little selfless and gve please they need the help

  • =( Haiti needs our help... I'm gonna donate some money in my school to help Haiti i have family there. This song is beautiful, it pull on your heart strings.

  • What an amazing song sung by an amazing artist.

  • This guy is a SPARK of light and a RAY of HOPE!

  • Man when i heard John play this during HOPE FOR HAITI i fell in love with the song.

  • This is beautiful

  • I listened John a while ago on the Hope For haiti telethon and it's particularly poignant as I am living in the Caribbean and we feel the weight of our brothers and sisters and also the knowledge that we are nearby and it could have been us. It's good to have support of the world.

  • i love this song even if its making me cry

  • I just saw him perform this song for the hope for haiti benefit and i was amazed. I felt every struggle and every piece of pain of the people of Haiti. God Bless them

  • Wow!

    All I can say is....wow!

  • I love John Legend.

    Speaks alot of inspirational things in his songs.

    I think this is one of his greatest. He's performing this one for the Hope For Hati Benefit right now.

  • yes i agree.... i was a bit teary..

  • I just saw that...I was blown away. ♥

  • i love his and mahalia jackson's version. they are from completely different eras but i can feel the emotion in both of their voices. And John makes it sound so good with the piano

  • This song is the bomb it's really insperational to me because it reminds me of the trials and tribulations I have been threw. Go John Ledgend

  • whoever said there's not enough soul in this is plain wrong....

  • I love this man. But ya'll should check out Justin Guarini'd version. Holy shyiiiit its good.

  • This version is better than Boney M

  • How about the people who actually went through this. It is about the history of the music. He is keeping it alive for new generations who don't know what a spiritual is. I don't see any of you doing anything. You just critize. Well if you kept the history alive you could come up with something yourself. Critics.

  • i love this song...i dont care who sings it...all that matters are the words

  • Comment removed

  • you want substance youtube justin guarinni version it is SICK! I probobly spelled his name wrong however lol

  • So, Boney M was around during slavery? 'Cause, this song dates back that far.  See, during slavery, slave families were broken up and sold off because they were, essentially, chattel. This song is born from those tragedies. Before you critique another performer's rendition of this song, maybe try to read a book or, at least, try to know what you are talking about. Even better, listen to music other than bad 70s disco.

    If a book is too much to ask, try Wikipedia.

  • It's irrelevant when the song 1st version was made, the point is that Boney M;'s version had much more instruments played, in a much more intricate way, not to mention that Liz Mitchell's voice is 100 x more soulful than John Legend's. It's a shame that so many lame disco groups became huge in the states while the best 1 (Boney M is from Germany) did not

  • What's irrelevant is your borderline creepy, over zealous adoration for Boney M. Nobody cares that you think Boney M was the greatest disco group, ever! I was simply correcting you when you implied that Boney M originally did this song. Of course, they did not. Not even close. Over and out.

  • sad, haunting, beautiful, like it should be

  • beautifull!!!! no more words...