This song was not on an official Wilburys album. It was on a benefit album Nobody’s Child: Romanian Angel Appeal (a charity album released in 1990 to benefit Romanian orphans) released in 1990. It was written by Cy Coben and Mel Foree. Hank Snow did this song in the 50s and it didn’t chart for him. In the UK Lonnie Donegan covered this song also.
George was very familiar with the song. This was a song that the Beatles backed Tony Sheridan with as the Beat Brothers before they became known. The song is a sad song and what caught my attention in the Wilburys version is Jeff Lynne’s high vocal through the second chorus…beautiful song.
All the Wilburys vocals are wonderful in this song.
Nobody’s Child
As I was slowly passing, an orphans home today
I stopped for just a little while to watch the children play
A lone boy standin’, 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 a flower I’m growin’ wild
No mama’s arms to hold me no daddy’s smile
Nobody wants me, I’m nobody’s child
In every town and village
There are places just like this
With rows and rows of children
And babies in their cribs
They’ve long since stopped their cryin’
As no-one ever hears
And no-one there to notice them or take away their fears
Nobody’s child, they’re nobody’s child
Just like a flower they’re growin wild
No mama’s arms to hold them, no daddy’s smile
Nobody wants them they’re nobody’s child
Nobody’s child, they’re nobody’s child
Just like a flower they’re growin wild
No mama’s arms to hold them, no daddy’s smile
Nobody wants them they’re nobody’s child
Nobody wants them they’re nobody’s child
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It’s to the same tune as Wabash Cannonball maybe a little slower.
A good one…seems like there were a few good efforts on that charity record
My god, how I haven’t heard this song? I didn’t know they did this. Thanks Bad.
Bob sounds great in this…such a sad song
THere’s something weird with this track for me. The lyric and sound just don’t match at all…left me confused lol
Maybe Lynne’s production.
Most probably…I don’t think I’ve ever liked the sound of anything he’s touched. This track though just didn’t quite work. Instruments should have been cut back — instead it sounds like a group of half-pissed buskers in a pub which doesn’t quite reflect the sentiment in the lyric lol
Their voices blend incredibly well in this.
Haunting lyrics and images. Free you’re right about their voices blending well. Yes Max Lynne’s high background is beautiful accent to this very depressing song.
I always liked Lynnes high voice in the chorus.