It was written by English session-guitarist, singer and composer Bill Parkinson (warning: audio plays on opening website).
The song originally received public attention when a Scottish child singing star, Neil Reid, won the UK ITV "Opportunity Knocks" competition with it in December 1971. It was released as a single by Decca Records shortly after this, and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The "Mother of Mine" record sold over 250,000 copies in the United Kingdom, and over 2.5 million globally.
The song was also popular in Japan: 400,000 copies of the single were sold there, and in 2009, New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra recorded a cover version of it on her album Hayley Sings Japanese Songs 2. It has also been recorded in French as "Maman chérie"
The sheet music is now out of print, but copies may be available from Music Exchange or Sheet Music Warehouse.
It is not particularly a religious song, although there is a reference in the lyrics to praying to the Lord.
The song originally received public attention when a Scottish child singing star, Neil Reid, won the UK ITV "Opportunity Knocks" competition with it in December 1971. It was released as a single by Decca Records shortly after this, and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The "Mother of Mine" record sold over 250,000 copies in the United Kingdom, and over 2.5 million globally.
The song was also popular in Japan: 400,000 copies of the single were sold there, and in 2009, New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra recorded a cover version of it on her album Hayley Sings Japanese Songs 2. It has also been recorded in French as "Maman chérie"
The sheet music is now out of print, but copies may be available from Music Exchange or Sheet Music Warehouse.
It is not particularly a religious song, although there is a reference in the lyrics to praying to the Lord.
Downloads
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Child singer who made the song famous:
Professional singer - presented as a Japanese song:
Chinese singer:
Original composer, guitar accompaniment:
Korean church choir, piano accompaniment:
Singer with guitar-based band:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:Mother of mine you gave to me,
.... Mother, sweet mother of mine.
Mother of mine when I was young ...
Chorus:
Mother you gave me happiness, much more than words can say,
I pray the Lord that he may bless you every night and every day.
Mother of mine now I am grown ...
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