About the song
“Song of the South” is a poignant and evocative piece of country music written by Bob McDill. Originally recorded by Bobby Bare in 1980 for his album *Drunk & Crazy*, the song has seen multiple renditions, reflecting its deep resonance with audiences over the years. Notably, Johnny Russell’s version in 1981 and a subsequent cover by Tom T. Hall and Earl Scruggs in 1982 each brought their unique touch to the song. However, it was Alabama’s 1988 rendition, from their *Southern Star* album, that truly captured the hearts of listeners, reaching number one on both the U.S. and Canadian country charts.
The song paints a vivid picture of life in the South during the Great Depression. It describes a poor cotton-farming family struggling to make ends meet. With lyrics like “Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch. We all picked the cotton but we never got rich,” the song highlights the harsh realities faced by many during this difficult time. It touches on their limited awareness of broader economic troubles, with the line “Well, somebody told us Wall Street fell, but we was so poor that we couldn’t tell,” illustrating their isolation from national events.
“Song of the South” also references the New Deal programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, suggesting that they brought some hope to those in need: “The cotton was short and the weeds was tall, but Mr. Roosevelt’s gonna save us all.” The narrative continues with the family’s struggles, including the loss of their farm due to the mother’s illness. Eventually, they find stability and improved living conditions after relocating to a town, thanks to a job with the TVA and new purchases like a washing machine and a Chevrolet.
Overall, “Song of the South” is more than just a song; it is a reflection on resilience and transformation in the face of adversity, capturing a slice of American history with both empathy and authenticity.
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