About the song
“Song of the South” stands as a poignant anthem that captures the essence of American rural life during the Great Depression. Written by Bob McDill, the song first gained attention through Bobby Bare’s recording on his 1980 album “Drunk & Crazy.” Its narrative, rich with evocative imagery and a blend of nostalgia and resilience, resonated with listeners, prompting subsequent covers that further cemented its place in country music history.
Johnny Russell’s rendition in 1981 reached number 57 on the U.S. Billboard country chart, paving the way for yet another interpretation by Tom T. Hall and Earl Scruggs, which peaked at number 72 in 1982 from their collaborative album “Storyteller and the Banjo Man.” However, it was Alabama’s 1988 cover, released as part of their album “Southern Star,” that truly propelled “Song of the South” to the forefront. Alabama’s version not only topped both the U.S. and Canadian country charts but also became synonymous with the band’s signature sound and storytelling prowess.
The song unfolds like a vivid tableau of hardship and hope, portraying a Southern cotton-farming family’s struggles and eventual triumphs. Lines like “Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch. We all picked the cotton but we never got rich” vividly depict the toils of rural life amidst economic adversity. References to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies add historical context, reflecting on the era’s socio-economic landscape with lines such as “The cotton was short and the weeds was tall, but Mr. Roosevelt’s gonna save us all.”
The accompanying music video, directed by Steve Boyle, enhances the song’s narrative with black-and-white imagery reminiscent of the 1930s. Historical footage and photographs blend seamlessly with scenes of Alabama performing, creating a visual tapestry that complements the song’s themes of perseverance and transformation. The video transitions to color during the chorus, emphasizing moments of communal celebration and resilience, mirroring the song’s message of overcoming adversity together.
Ultimately, “Song of the South” endures not only as a musical triumph for Alabama but also as a timeless reflection of American resilience and the enduring spirit of its people. Through its lyrics and visuals, the song paints a vivid picture of a bygone era while resonating with universal themes of hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of a better life. Its journey from its origins in Bobby Bare’s rendition to Alabama’s chart-topping success underscores its lasting impact on country music and cultural storytelling.
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