About the song
“Song of the South,” written by Bob McDill, is a poignant reflection on the struggles and resilience of a Southern family during the Great Depression. First recorded by Bobby Bare in 1980, this song has been performed by several artists, including Johnny Russell, Tom T. Hall, and Earl Scruggs. However, it was Alabama’s version, released in 1988, that truly captured the public’s heart, reaching the top of the country charts in both the U.S. and Canada.
The song paints a vivid picture of life on a cotton farm in the South, where the family works hard but barely makes ends meet. Lyrics such as “Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch. We all picked the cotton but we never got rich,” highlight the tough realities faced by the family. Despite the struggles, including the impact of the Great Depression and the loss of their farm, the song also conveys a sense of hope and resilience.
In the narrative, the family’s fortunes change with the intervention of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, which is subtly referenced in the line, “Mr. Roosevelt’s gonna save us all.” The song also touches on the father’s identity as a Southern Democrat, reflecting his values and beliefs during a challenging time.
After facing hardship, including the mother’s illness and the loss of their farm, the family moves to the city. The song ends on a hopeful note as they find stability and success, with lines like, “Papa got a job with the TVA, we bought a washing machine, and then a Chevrolet.” This transition from rural struggle to urban success underscores the theme of perseverance and adaptation.
“Song of the South” not only provides a historical snapshot of a difficult era but also celebrates the strength and determination of those who lived through it. It resonates with listeners by combining a deep sense of nostalgia with a hopeful outlook on the future.
Video
Lyrics
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch
We all picked the cotton, but we never got rich
Daddy was a veteran, a Southern Democrat
They ought to get a rich man to vote like that
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Well, somebody told us Wall Street fell
But we were so poor that we couldn’t tell
Cotton was short and the weeds were tall
But Mr. Roosevelt’s a-gonna save us all
Well, Mama got sick and Daddy got down
The county got the farm and we moved to town
Papa got a job with the TVA
He bought a washin’ machine and then a Chevrolet
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Play it
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
(Gone) gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Song, song of the south
(Gone) gone, gone with the wind
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
Ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
Ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth