Cotton Needs-a-Pickin’
We used to sing this song in the car while driving through Georgia and Alabama. Typically, someone spotting a cotton field would start it.
Cotton Needs a Pickin’
Cotton needs a pickin’ so bad
Cotton needs a pickin’ so bad
Cotton needs a pickin’ so bad
I’m gonna pick all over this field.
Planted this cotton in April
On the full of the moon
We’ve had a hot, dry summer
And that’s why it opened so soon. Oh!
Cotton needs a pickin’ so bad
Cotton needs a pickin’ so bad
Cotton needs a pickin’ so bad
I’m gonna pick all over this field.
I remember singing this song in 2nd grade [1969] and the teacher has us strolling around the classroom, mimicing that we we were picking cotton. This Americana classic will probably never be heard again in a classroom.
[I was just recollecting this song the other day in my mind and wondered if lyrics exist, hence, I "googled" it.]
I’m actually singing this song in Choir class now. We were given sheet music with more lyrics though. Do you happen to know what they are?
I believe this is the rest. I didn’t realize there were more lyrics. I was able to find these:
2nd Verse
Boy, stop goosing that cotton
and take better care.
Make haste you lazy rascal,
and bring that row from there.
Oh!
Chorus
3rd Verse
Hurry up, hurry up children
we ought to have been gone;
this weather looks so cloudy,
I think it’s going to storm.
Oh!
Chorus
I have been trying to find slave songs AND their tunes. I am trying to put together music unit of “music of the Civil War.” So, far, I have Social/Dance song, a code song, and songs from the north and the south (one song is to pass time and the other to rally the troops).
But, I am coming up SO short on work songs. Cotton needs a pickin is one I have found the most info on. but, the verses you have here do not match the melody I have.
Any one know any of the melodies to any of these ?work songs.? I hope this part of our history is not lost.