"Mother's Last Word to Her Son" is a gospel blues song written by Washington Phillips (18801954) and recorded by him (vocals and

zither Zithers (; , from the Greek word ''cithara'') are a class of stringed instruments. Historically, the name has been applied to any instrument of the psaltery family, or to an instrument consisting of many strings stretched across a thin, flat bo ...

) in 1927. The song is in strophic form, and consists of five

quatrain A quatrain is a type of stanza, or a complete poem, consisting of four lines. Existing in a variety of forms, the quatrain appears in poems from the poetic traditions of various ancient civilizations including Persia, Ancient India, Ancient Greec ...

s in rhyming couplets. The mother advises her son as he leaves home to always remember

Jesus Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...

. The fourth verse contains the line, "And you have a burden, He'll make them light", alluding to Christ's words in the

Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Matthew), or simply Matthew. It is most commonly abbreviated as "Matt." is the first book of the New Testament of the Bible and one of the three synoptic Gospels. It tells how Israel's Messiah, Jesus, comes to his people and for ...

at 11:30: The same Biblical verse is alluded to in Phillips' song " Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There", recorded on the same day; that song is a Christian

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' ...

written in 1916 by

Charles Albert Tindley Charles Albert Tindley (July 7, 1851 – July 26, 1933) was an American Methodist minister and gospel music composer. His composition "I'll Overcome Someday" is credited as the basis for the U.S. Civil Rights anthem "We Shall Overcome". Another ...

. In 1929, Phillips recorded a companion song, " A Mother's Last Word to Her Daughter".

Recordings

* 1927Washington Phillips, Columbia Records single * 2013Advance Base, "The World Is In a Bad Fix Everywhere"

References

{{authority control Songs about mothers Songs about Jesus Songs about parting Blues songs Gospel songs Washington Phillips songs 1927 songs Columbia Records singles