I Had a Good Father and Mother

"I Had a Good Father and Mother"
Single by Washington Phillips
Format 78 rpm record
Recorded Dallas, Texas, December 2, 1929
Genre Gospel blues
Length 3:01
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Washington Phillips
Producer(s) Frank B. Walker [1]

"I Had a Good Father and Mother" is a 1929 gospel blues song by Washington Phillips (18801954, vocals and zither).[2] The song has sometimes been covered as "I Had a Good Mother and Father"; or with, in both cases, "Real" inserted before "Good".

Unusually, the song does not have a conventional refrain; instead, the verses are separated by a wordless vocalise.

The final verse reflects a concept mentioned several times in the Gospel of John:

  • A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  John 13:34
  • As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  John 15:9
  • This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  John 15:12

The recording history suggests that the song was composed by Phillips himself: there seems to be no earlier or contemporary version, nor any cover version until 64 years after his recording of the song.

Recordings

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

References

  1. Corcoran, Michael (December 29, 2002). "Exhuming the Legend of Washington Phillips". Austin Statesman. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Washington Phillips discography". wirz.de. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  3. George Washington Phillips: I Had a Good Father and Mother, Composed by George Washington Phillips at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  4. I Had a Good Father and Mother at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  5. The Palace Brothers: I Had a Good Mother and Father at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  6. The Palace Brothers: I Had a Good Mother and Father at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  7. Kate Wolf: I Had a Good Father and Mother, Composed by Traditional at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  8. Unterberger, Richie. Kate Wolf: Looking Back at You at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  9. Gillian Welch: I Had a Real Good Mother and Father, Composed by Gillian Welch / Traditional at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  10. Annie Raines / Paul Rishell: I Had a Good Mother and Father, Composed by George Washington Phillips at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  11. Lankford, Ronnie D., Jr.. Paul Rishell: Goin' Home at AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
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