About the song
“Song of the South” is a poignant and memorable song written by Bob McDill. Initially recorded by Bobby Bare for his 1980 album *Drunk & Crazy*, it gained significant recognition through later covers by Johnny Russell and Tom T. Hall with Earl Scruggs. However, it was Alabama’s version, released in November 1988 from their album *Southern Star*, that truly brought the song to prominence. Alabama’s rendition topped the U.S. and Canadian country charts, cementing its place in country music history.
The song offers a vivid portrayal of a Southern family’s life during the Great Depression. It paints a picture of poverty and hardship, highlighting the struggle of a cotton farm family. The lyrics describe the tough conditions they faced, with lines such as “Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch. We all picked the cotton but we never got rich,” reflecting their relentless toil without reward. It also touches on their limited awareness of broader economic events, as shown in the line, “Well, somebody told us Wall Street fell, but we was so poor that we couldn’t tell.”
“Song of the South” references historical figures and events, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, with the line “Mr. Roosevelt’s gonna save us all.” The song further explores the family’s political and economic challenges, including the father’s role as a Southern Democrat and the eventual loss of their farm due to the mother’s illness. Despite these hardships, the narrative concludes on a hopeful note as the family finds stability and comfort in a more urban setting, with the father securing a job with the TVA, and the family purchasing modern conveniences like a washing machine and a Chevrolet.
The music video for Alabama’s version, directed by Steve Boyle, complements the song’s historical theme with black-and-white footage depicting the South of the 1930s. It incorporates images of President Roosevelt and actor Clark Gable, linking to the song’s references. The video transitions to color during the chorus, showcasing a lively street parade and a concert scene where Alabama performs with cameos by fellow artists and comedians. The filming took place in Temperance Hall, Tennessee, adding authenticity to the visual representation of the song.
Overall, “Song of the South” is celebrated for its storytelling and its ability to capture the essence of a bygone era, offering both a glimpse into the past and a reflection on resilience and progress.
Video
Lyrics
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch
We all picked the cotton, but we never got rich
Daddy was a veteran, a Southern Democrat
They ought to get a rich man to vote like that
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Well, somebody told us Wall Street fell
But we were so poor that we couldn’t tell
Cotton was short and the weeds were tall
But Mr. Roosevelt’s a-gonna save us all
Well, Mama got sick and Daddy got down
The county got the farm and we moved to town
Papa got a job with the TVA
He bought a washin’ machine and then a Chevrolet
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Play it
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
(Gone) gone, gone with the wind
There ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Song, song of the south
(Gone) gone, gone with the wind
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
Ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
Ain’t nobody lookin’ back again
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth