About the song
Charley Pride’s “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town”: A Song of Hard Work, Hope, and the Enduring Power of Music
In the annals of country music, there are a few names that stand out for their groundbreaking achievements and the unique stories they brought to the genre. Charley Pride, an African American singer-songwriter, stands tall among these icons. His rich, baritone voice and heartfelt lyrics resonated with audiences across the country, breaking down racial barriers and paving the way for a more inclusive music scene. Among his many notable songs, “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town” holds a special place, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives of cotton pickers in the Mississippi Delta during the early 20th century.
Released in 1974, “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town” is a ballad that paints a vivid picture of a hardscrabble existence amidst the vast cotton fields of the American South. The song’s opening lines, “In a Mississippi cotton pickin’ Delta town, One dusty street to walk up and down,” immediately transport the listener to this rural setting. The lyrics, penned by Harold Dorman and George Gann, capture the backbreaking labor, the meager wages, and the simple joys that defined the lives of these hard-working individuals.
Pride’s vocals, infused with both grit and tenderness, bring the lyrics to life. He sings of the “starvin’ hound” that represents the town’s poverty, the “depot porch” where folks gather for respite, and the “dusty street” that stretches on as far as the eye can see. The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain of “Mississippi cotton pickin’ Delta town,” serves as a constant reminder of the place and its defining industry.
Beyond its vivid imagery, “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town” also speaks to the resilience and hope that persisted amidst the harsh realities of life in the Delta. The lyrics mention “Saturday night,” when folks dress up and head out for a bit of fun, seeking temporary escape from their daily struggles. Music, as the song suggests, played a vital role in these communities, providing a source of solace, connection, and even joy.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the essence of a particular time and place, while also speaking to universal themes of hard work, hope, and the power of music. Charley Pride’s heartfelt performance and the song’s evocative lyrics make “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town” a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Video
Lyrics
“Charley Pride – Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town”
In a Mississippi cotton pickin’ delta townOne dusty street to walk up and downNothing much to do but hang aroundIn a Mississippi cotton pickin’ delta townDown in the delta where I was bornAll we raised was cotton, potatoes and cornI’ve picked cotton ’til my fingers hurtDraggin’ a sack through the delta dirtI’ve worked hard the whole weeklongPickin’ my fingers to the blood and boneAin’t a lot of money in cotton baleAt least when you try to sellIn a Mississippi cotton pickin’ delta townOne dusty street to walk up and downNothing much to do but hang aroundIn a Mississippi cotton pickin’ delta townOn Saturday night, we’d get dressed upCatch us a ride on a pickup truckOn a gravel road that nearly strangled usThat cotton pickin’ delta dustWe’d sit across the street on the depot porchLookin’ at the folks lookin’ back at usMunchin’ on a dust covered ice cream coneWondering how we’d get back homeIn a Mississippi cotton pickin’ delta townOne dusty street to walk up and downNothing much to do but hang aroundIn a Mississippi cotton pickin’ delta town