About the song
“High Cotton” by Alabama is a country song that evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time in the American South, likely referencing the era before the Civil War. Here’s a breakdown of the background and themes:
Background
- The exact date of the song’s release is unavailable, but it’s likely from the 1980s, considering Alabama’s rise to fame during that decade.
- The term “high cotton” is an idiom meaning prosperity, wealth, and a carefree life.
Themes
- Nostalgia for a bygone era: The lyrics paint a picture of idyllic life on a cotton farm, where times were seemingly good and life was easy. Lines like “We were walking in high cotton” and “Around our house the grass was green” highlight this theme.
- Rural Southern life: The song celebrates the values and customs of traditional Southern farming families. References to Sundays being a strict day of rest hint at the religious background of these communities.
- Loss of innocence: There’s a subtle undercurrent of loss throughout the song. Lyrics like “Leavin’ home was the hardest thing we ever faced” suggest a recognition that the good times may not last.
While the song offers a sentimental look back, it doesn’t necessarily address the harsh realities of working a cotton farm, such as grueling labor or the economic dependence on a single crop.
Video
Lyrics
We didn’t know the times were lean,Round our house the grass was green,It didn’t seem like things were all that bad,
I bet we walked a thousand miles,Choppin’ cotton and pusing plows,And learnin’ how to give it all we had.
As Life went on and years went by,I saw the light in daddy’s eye,And felt the love in mamma’s hands,They kept us warm and kept us fed,Taught us how to look ahead,Now lookin’ back I understand.
We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old times there are not forgotten,Those fertile fields are never far away,We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old time there are not forgotten,Leavin’ home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
When Sunday mornings rolled around,We dressed up hand-me-downs,Just in time to gather with the church,Some times I think how long It’s been,And how it impressed me then,It was the only day my daddy wouldn’t work.
We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old times there are not forgotten,Those fertile fields are never far away,We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old time there are not forgotten,Leavin’ home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old times there are not forgotten,Those fertile fields are never far away,We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old time there are not forgotten,Leavin’ home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old times there are not forgotten,Those fertile fields are never far away,We were walkin’ in high cotton,Old time there are not forgotten,Leavin’ home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
Walkin’ in High Cotton