Cotton
Nanci Griffith · The Loving Kind [2009]
Oh, my family grew cotton and cotton was all we knew
Butter came from butter beans and it all went in a stew
We lived off our victory garden and the neighbors did so too
Some years the dust was so ruthless, this cotton was all we grew
When there's no more cane on the grasses
And the oil is gone in the gulf
When the wells are dry on the flatlands
Cotton's all we got, cotton's all we got
In the days before the power lines when L B J taught school
We dreamed of a fairer nation and promised to change the rules
To build a great society and all the folks in the same room
Fighting a war on poverty and taking us to the moon
When there's no more cane on the grasses
And the oil is gone in the gulf
When the wells run dry on the flatlands
Cotton's all we got, oh cotton's all we got
Then the wind will feed the power lines where once it was dust that blew
All along the Chisholm Trail where cotton's all we knew
When there's no more cane on the grasses
And the oil is gone in the gulf
When the wells are dry on the flatlands
Cotton's all we got, oh cotton's all we got
Cotton's all we got
Butter came from butter beans and it all went in a stew
We lived off our victory garden and the neighbors did so too
Some years the dust was so ruthless, this cotton was all we grew
When there's no more cane on the grasses
And the oil is gone in the gulf
When the wells are dry on the flatlands
Cotton's all we got, cotton's all we got
In the days before the power lines when L B J taught school
We dreamed of a fairer nation and promised to change the rules
To build a great society and all the folks in the same room
Fighting a war on poverty and taking us to the moon
When there's no more cane on the grasses
And the oil is gone in the gulf
When the wells run dry on the flatlands
Cotton's all we got, oh cotton's all we got
Then the wind will feed the power lines where once it was dust that blew
All along the Chisholm Trail where cotton's all we knew
When there's no more cane on the grasses
And the oil is gone in the gulf
When the wells are dry on the flatlands
Cotton's all we got, oh cotton's all we got
Cotton's all we got
Cotton - Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith's 'Cotton' stands as a poignant centerpiece on her 2009 album, The Loving Kind. Rooted in her signature blend of folk and country storytelling, the track reflects Griffith's enduring ability to weave personal narrative with broader social commentary. The recording captures the quiet intensity characteristic of her later work, where she often explores themes of resilience and the complexities of human connection. As part of her extensive discography, the song exemplifies her commitment to acoustic authenticity and lyrical depth, resonating with listeners who appreciate the genre's tradition of evocative, unadorned performance.