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Ben Harper — Homeless Child
Album: The Will to Live
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 974









Released: 1997
Length: 3:49
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Nowhere here
to call my home
no one near
to call my own
all that's left
is for me to roam
somebody please
help me hang on

Homeless child
homeless child
what is left
for the homeless child

There is no night
and there is no day
it is all
one shade of gray
some will pass
and some will stay
is this the end
or just one more day

Homeless child
homeless child
what is left
for the homeless child

Sure not much
but it's my best
I just need
some place to rest
if you could just
let me be your guest
I won't burden you
for very long

Homeless child
homeless child
what is left
for the homeless child
Comments (61)add comment
Hope he tours.

Something tells me he puts on a good show.
Posted 9 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 averybadcat wrote:

Who is that on the washboard?
Outstanding. 



According to ChatGPT:-
"Ben Harper's song "Homeless Child" features Ben Harper himself playing the washboard. In addition to his vocals and guitar playing, Harper is known for incorporating a variety of instruments into his music, and the washboard is one of the unique elements in this particular song."

... Spooky IT technology these days with all the privacy issues - but sometimes it is really useful 😎
Posted 10 months ago by Graham_M    [ Reply ]
Yup, another awesome tune to have dusted off on the RP playlist - William is doing a lot of housekeeping - thankfully! 
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 averybadcat wrote:
Who is that on the washboard?
Outstanding. 
 
Your  mum.
Posted 5 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Outstanding : )  woooo-hoo
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
The Bloody Red Barron of Germany, The Royal Guardsmen, with a twist..

 
damn, i was so close to forgetting about those guys
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
The Bloody Red Barron of Germany, The Royal Guardsmen, with a twist..
Posted 8 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Who is that on the washboard?
Outstanding. 
Posted 10 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
7->8 this morning. The vibe fits for the looming weekend.
Posted 10 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
gotta be bill jammin us this way.  spin that platter bud.
Posted 10 years ago by markthecarp    [ Reply ]
Well, I guess the streak of good music had to end sometime. PSD, take me away!
Posted 11 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
 

He should probably also trim those nose hairs if they're going to photograph him from this angle.
 

Its a Beard jagdriver  

°º©©º° 


Posted 12 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this for yonks, but god it's a good song (could be resonating with me as Im about to move house yet AGAIN)   {#Motor}
Posted 12 years ago by suesblues    [ Reply ]
muy cuadrado
Posted 12 years ago by fabduchi    [ Reply ]
A lot of what I've heard today is tied rhythmically, this to Fleetwood Mac's "World Turning"—earlier the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" and the Dandy Warhols' "Bohemian Like You." Bill always has a sly trick or two up his sleeve.
Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:


He should probably also trim those nose hairs if they're going to photograph him from this angle.
 
Those prolly some Dern Hairs ... {#Whipit}
Posted 13 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Wait, I'm not sure if I got it - What kind of child?

< 4 - Due to mindless repetition.

Posted 14 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
We used to sit watching a heavily used video recorded from the tv of Ben Harper being interviewed and playing.  He was clearly stoned to the eyeballs, which i can appreciate, and hell could he talk some shit.  I'm sure the neighbours used to hear us as, stoned to the eyeballs, we shouted "Shut up and play Ben!".  I later shouted this during one of his concerts during a moment of reminiscing.  I'll go as far as saying in jokes are not really appreciated by some hardcore fans.
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
This got an 8 from me within the first 3 bars ... I suppose I just like a real good drivin' beat, from a band that's groovin'.

Now to listen to the rest of it.
Posted 15 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
HAIL HAIL ROCK AND ROLL
BEN IS ONE GREAT ORIGINAL (EVEN WHEN HE IS NOT)

8
Posted 15 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
 rajulkabir wrote:
It's really hard to listen to this nasal whining.  

He should probably also trim those nose hairs if they're going to photograph him from this angle.
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I think the production on this was supposed to sound like those old Delta recordings. Love Ben, but this one is not one of his better efforts.
Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
Ben's version of this song is nasal, whiny, and mixed horribly.  The whole thing sounds like you're listening to it through a tin can.  Charlie Musselwhite does a MUCH better job with this one.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
Like it! Thanks Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by oilydwarf    [ Reply ]
It's really hard to listen to this nasal whining. Add in the fact that he's repeating the same 4 or 5 words for the entire song and it's just downright painful.
Posted 16 years ago by rajulkabir    [ Reply ]
Boring...
Posted 16 years ago by bizon    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Painful.
Needles in ears...
Posted 16 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
Go Ben!
Posted 16 years ago by TexasAggies    [ Reply ]
Painful.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Nigel Nyman? Anybody?
Posted 17 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by starfishNcoffee    [ Reply ]
Knopfleroid.
Posted 17 years ago by drtjdel    [ Reply ]
here's another one that my melts my mood can't help but to bounce along to this, nevermind the lyrics
Posted 17 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
yes! way cooler than most of the 'modern' r&b trials... ben harper always makes my feet step under the officedesk.^^
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Decent enough groove, but come up with a few more words next time Ben. Thanks.
I agree. Well put.
Posted 17 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
Decent enough groove, but come up with a few more words next time Ben. Thanks,
Posted 17 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
So far, I like the start. Still. Hmmm, good!
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Walrus_Gumbo wrote:
OK, this song has my dog butt waggin'... me likey!!!
I 'spose ya have to get special underpants for that condition! You know, a hole for ya tail!!
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
great set: homeless child; world turning; Oh Well (Kottke and Gordon)
Posted 17 years ago by dadsays    [ Reply ]
On his way to Guitar-God-ness.
Posted 17 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
Oh, THIS is why people like Ben Harper!
Posted 17 years ago by AmandaMaria    [ Reply ]
GChevy410 wrote:
This performance WAS so much fun to watch.
Ben had the crowd screaming their lungs out at Sasquatch. Awesome performance!
Posted 18 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
6? What was I thinking (drinking)? 3.
Posted 18 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
OK, this song has my dog butt waggin'... me likey!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
rosedraws wrote:
This performance would be SO fun to watch.
This performance WAS so much fun to watch.
Posted 18 years ago by GChevy410    [ Reply ]
Awesome
Posted 18 years ago by grotegutj    [ Reply ]
This performance would be SO fun to watch.
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
As much as I love Ben, I can't help but think of how he might've tried to clone Clapton's "Motherless children"; And to be honest, Eric's song beats the crap out of this one.
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
Rockin' good start to the morning. Thanks, Bill Bo Diddley I dunno. I can hear several influences in this cut. All of them good.
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
Has anyone heard his new CD with the Blind Boys of Alabama?
There are some awesome cuts from that album. Not every song is great but I think it's worth purchasing (especially if you buy it from iTunes for $9.99) and use the RP link
Posted 19 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Simply, I just really love Ben's music, esp. his early stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by Zluszcz    [ Reply ]
This is for guitar lovers. Doesn't Ben sound like he's a Bo Diddley fan? 8)
Posted 19 years ago by Hub    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
Has anyone heard his new CD with the Blind Boys of Alabama?
very gospel. very nice. very too much gospel edit: the bass player juan nelson is a prime example of a bigger fella that no doubt has: Fat Man Flo
Posted 19 years ago by Fat_Man_Flo    [ Reply ]
Seen Ben many times and he just keeps getting better! Very talented.
Posted 19 years ago by Cannon    [ Reply ]
.........................ilikebenharpersvoicejustfineaneight......................
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Has anyone heard his new CD with the Blind Boys of Alabama?
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Love this one. This guy is an incredible guitar player. See him live if at all possible.
Posted 19 years ago by sherp    [ Reply ]
Ben Harper is pretty damn diverse. Please play more!
Posted 22 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]