We analyze the pattern of binding energies (BEs) of small Au-n clusters (n = 1-7, 11) with lone-pair ligands (L = H2O, SH2, NH3, PH3, PF3, PCl3, and PMe3) employing the density functional theory. We use PBE0 functional with the dispersion correction and scalar relativistic effective core potential. This approach provides correct BEs when compared with benchmark CCSD(T) calculations for Au-L and Au-2-L complexes. The pattern of BEs of Au-n-L complexes is irregular with BE for Au-3 approximate to Au-4 > Au-2 > Au-7 > Au-5 > Au-11 > Au-6 > Au-1. Electron affinities (EAs) of Au-n clusters exhibit oscillatory pattern with the cluster size. Binding energies of Au-n-L complexes are oscillatory as well following EAs of Au-n clusters. BEs of odd and even Au-n-L complexes were analyzed separately. The bonding mechanism in odd Au-n-L complexes is dominated by the lone pair -> metal electron donation to the singly occupied valence Au-n orbital accompanied by the back donation. Even Au-n clusters create covalent Au-n-L bonds with BEs higher than those in odd Au-n-L complexes. The BEs pattern and optimized geometries of Au-n-L complexes correspond to the picture of creating the gold ligand bond through the lone pair of a ligand interacting with the singly occupied molecular orbital in odd clusters or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital in even clusters of Au-n. Ligands in both odd and even Au-n-L complexes form three groups with binding energies that correlate with their ionization energies. The lowest BE is calculated for H2O as a ligand, followed by SH2 and NH3. PX3 ligands exhibit highest BEs.