Nobody’s Child

One of the songs recorded with Tony Sheridan in Hamburg in 1961, ‘Nobody’s Child’ was written by Cy Coben and Mel Foree.

‘Nobody’s Child’ was first recorded by country star Hank Snow in 1949, although it failed to chart. It was subsequently covered by a range of performers, including Lonnie Donegan on his 1956 debut album, which was a formative influence on The Quarrymen.

The Beatles’ version was recorded with Tony Sheridan on vocals, at Studio Rahlstedt in Hamburg, Germany on 24 June 1961. The session was produced by Bert Kaempfert, and saw the recording of several other songs including ‘My Bonnie’ and ‘The Saints’.

‘Nobody’s Child’ was first released in Germany in April 1964 on the Polydor album The Beatles’ First, which collated a number of the group’s studio recordings from Hamburg.

It first appeared in the US on 6 July 1964 as the b-side of the Atco single ‘Ain’t She Sweet’ (ATCO 45-6308). It featured new drums overdubbed by Bernard Purdie.

The Traveling Wilburys, featuring George Harrison, also recorded a version of ‘Nobody’s Child’. It was released as a single on 18 June 1990, and was the opening song on the benefit album Nobody’s Child: Romanian Angel Appeal, released on 24 July that year.

Lyrics

As I was slowly passing
An orphan’s home one day
I stopped for just a little while
To watch the children play

Alone, a boy was standing
And when I asked him why
He turned with eyes that could not see
And he began to cry

I’m nobody’s child
I’m nobody’s child
Just like the flowers
I’m growing wild
I got no mammy’s kisses
I got no daddy’s smile
Nobody wants me
I’m nobody’s child

No mammy’s arms to hold me
Or soothe me when I cry
’cause sometimes I feel so lonesome
I wish that I could die

I’ll walk the streets of heaven
Where all blinds can see
And just like for the other kids
It will be a home for me

I’m nobody’s child
I’m nobody’s child
Just like the flowers
I’m growing wild
I got no mammy’s kisses
I got no daddy’s smile
Nobody wants me
I’m nobody’s child