Lead Belly, often called the king of folk and blues, brought raw storytelling to life with just his voice and a twelve-string guitar. He played songs about real struggles and hopes, shaping American folk music.

Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), known for their swamp rock style, mixed Southern blues and rock to deliver gritty, soulful hits.

The Beach Boys, famous for their bright harmonies and California vibes, created a sound full of warmth and melody. Though different in style, each group added something special to music history.

Each artist gave Cotton Fields their own spin. Lead Belly sang it with heartfelt pain and honesty. CCR added a bold rock rhythm, while The Beach Boys softened it with sweet harmonies. Together, they showed how one song can hold many voices.

About the Song

Cotton Fields is a song about home, memories, and hard times. The cotton fields stand for both struggle and a connection to the past.

Its repeating lines sound like folk songs, giving the music a real and honest feel. The words are simple, but they say a lot.

Whether sung with blues or harmony, its message is clear—home and family shape us. It’s more than cotton; it’s about roots and where we belong.

Cotton Fields Lyrics by Lead Belly

Verse 1

When I was a little baby
My mother would rock me in the cradle
In them old, old cotton fields at home
When I was a little baby
My mother would rock me in the cradle
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Chorus

Oh, when them cotton bolls get rotten
You couldn’t pick very much cotton
In them old cotton fields at home
It was down in Louisiana
Just a mile from Texarkana
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Verse 2

It may sound a little funny
But, you didn’t make very much money
In them old cotton fields at home
It may sound a little funny
But, you didn’t make very much money
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Chorus

Oh, when them cotton bolls get rotten
You couldn’t pick very much cotton
In them old cotton fields at home
It was down in Louisiana
Just a mile from Texarkana
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Verse 3

I was over in Arkansas
People ask me, “What you come here for?”
In them old cotton fields at home
I was over in Arkansas
People ask me, “What you come here for?”
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Chorus

Oh, when those cotton bolls get rotten
You can’t pick very much cotton
In them old cotton fields at home
It was down in Louisiana
Just a mile from Texarkana
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Chorus

Oh, when those cotton bolls get rotten
You can’t pick very much cotton
In them old cotton fields at home
It was down in Louisiana
Just a mile from Texarkana
In them old, old cotton fields at home

Cotton Fields Lyrics by The Beach Boys

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama done rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home

It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Let me tell you now well, I got me in a fix
I caught a nail in my tire doing lickitey splits
I had to walk a long, long way to town

I came upon a nice old man well, he had a hat on
Wait a minute, mister, can you give me some directions?
I’m gonna want to be right off for home

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama done rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home

It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Don’t care if them cotton balls get rotten
When I got you, baby, who needs cotton?
In them old cotton fields back home

Brother, only one thing more that’s gonna warm you
A summer’s day out in California
It’s gonna be those cotton fields back home

It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
Give me them cotton fields (It was back in Louisiana)
Let me hear it for the cotton fields (Just about a mile from Texarkana)
You know that there’s just no place like home

Oh, boy, it sure feels good to breathe the air back home
You shoulda seen their faces when they seen how I grown
In them old cotton fields back home

Cotton Fields Lyrics by Creedence Clearwater Revival

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home

It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Oh, when them cotton bolls get rotten
You can’t pick very much cotton
In them old cotton fields back home

It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home

It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Oh, when them cotton bolls get rotten
You can’t pick very much cotton
In them old cotton fields back home

It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home

It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home
In them old cotton fields back home

Similar Songs Like Cotton Fields

Here are a few tracks that share the same spirit of Cotton Fields, each telling its own story with warmth and soul.

• Sloop John B: A traditional folk tune reimagined by The Beach Boys, sharing the nostalgic, rootsy feel of “Cotton Fields”
• Midnight Special : Another folk classic from Lead Belly that tells stories of prison life and hope, carried by rhythmic guitar and raw vocals.
• Goodnight, Irene: One of Lead Belly’s most famous folk ballads, covered by many artists, reflecting emotion and American roots
• Don’t Look Now: It shares a rootsy, Americana sound and storytelling style, reflecting the band’s folk and country influences.

Similar Artists Like Lead Belly, The Beach Boys, and Creedence Clearwater Revival

Fans of classic storytelling, sincere harmonies, and enduring Americana will enjoy these artists who share musical roots with Lead Belly, The Beach Boys, and Johnny Cash:

• Woody Guthrie
  Genres: Folk, Americana
  Top Works: This Land Is Your Land, Hard Travelin’, Do Re Mi
• Bob Dylan
  Genres: Folk, Rock
  Top Albums: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963), Blonde on Blonde (1966), Nashville Skyline (1969)
• Roy Orbison
  Genres: Rock, Pop
  Top Albums: Mystery Girl (1989), Crying (1962), In Dreams (1963)
• Elvis Presley 
  Genres: Rock and Roll, Gospel, Country
  Top Albums: Elvis Presley (1956), Elvis Is Back! (1960), How Great Thou Art (1967)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Artists Made Cotton Fields Popular?

While Lead Belly created the song, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Beach Boys brought it to wider audiences in the 1960s.

What Makes Cotton Fields so Everlasting?

Its simple lyrics, strong melody, and relatable themes of home and hardship have helped it connect with listeners across generations.

Where are the Cotton Fields Back Home Refered in the Song?

The song mentions Louisiana, tying it to the American South and reflecting rural life and deep family ties.

Have Cotton Fields Been Used in Films or Pop Culture?

Yes, the song has been featured in movies, documentaries, and live performances, continuing its cultural presence well beyond its release.