Sampson Pittman - Cotton Farmer Blues

Farmer went to his merchant just to get some meat and meal
Farmer went to his merchant just to get some meat and meal
But the merchant told the farmer, "You got boll weavils¹ in your field"

You?ve got a good cotton crop but it?s just like shooting dice
You?ve got a good cotton crop but it?s just like shooting dice
Now, you?re gonna work the whole year ?round, buddy, yet, the cotton won?t bring no price

Now, you go to the commissary, he will give you plenty of meal and meat
Now, you go to the commissary, he will give you plenty of meal and meat
Now, he?ll give you half a price for your cotton, not a doggone thing for your seed

(spoken: That?s too bad, too bad)

Yes, boys, if I could get 50 cents a day
Yes, boys, if I?s getting 50 cents a day
And if they?d just raise me to a dollar, don?t you know, I?d give that crop away

(spoken: Play it one time. Yeah, man, play it, it don?t cost you nothing. I know these farmers, you see. That?s the reason I?m telling you like I said, you [won?t get nothing?])

Now, boys, it ain?t but the one thing, boys, that make me begin to think,
when they mistreat me every time it looks like I just got to have another drink
Yes, boys, and I?m going away to stay
Because I ain?t gonna let no merchant try to steal me this way