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I Had a Good Father and Mother

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"I Had a Good Father and Mother"
Single by Washington Phillips
RecordedDallas, Texas, December 2, 1929
GenreGospel blues
Length3:01
LabelColumbia
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 (1880–1954, 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.[citation needed]

Recordings

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References

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  1. ^ Corcoran, Michael (December 29, 2002). "Exhuming the Legend of Washington Phillips". Austin Statesman. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "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.
  12. ^ The Lower Lights: I Had a Good Mother and Father, Composed by Gillian Welch at AllMusic. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  13. ^ The Lower Lights: A Hymn Revival, Vol. 3 at AllMusic. Retrieved January 4, 2019.