The old cotton fields at home. (2023)

John is a freelance writer, ghostwriter, storyteller, and poet. He always tries to include a social message or comment in his writing.

Baumwollfelder

"When I was a little, little baby
My mom would rock me in the cradle
At home in the old cotton fields;

It was in Louisiana
One mile from Texarkana,
At home in the old cotton fields.

Oh when the cotton bolls rot
You can't pick much cotton.
At home in the old cotton fields."

~Credence Clearwater Revival~

I can feel a song coming on.

–Rance Darlington

An unexpected and unusual torrential storm had recently ruined half of a local farmer's cotton crop. Rance and his wife, Marion, had asked if Kathy and I would go with them to pick cotton for spinning. They had asked the farmer for permission and he had replied, "Do it!"

So one afternoon, we headed to the farm in a small rural community called Byee with our stash of biodegradable plastic bags (good to reuse at times like these).

"Look at those cotton fields!" I exclaimed as I got out of the car and looked at the seemingly endless rows of cotton in front of me.

"I can feel a song coming on," said my friend Rance, and began to sing the opening lines of Cotton Fields (Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home). I'm not sure who originally sang it, but I know Credence Clearwater Revival and Johnny Cash covered it. Anyway, I couldn't help but sing along to the catchy lyrics.

cotton picking equipment

Four of us went cotton picking

Just for something new.

Armed with plastic bags,

We are the cotton picking crew.

The harvest was ruined by too much rain.

The farmer nodded

"Just do it," was all he said.

He did not shovel.

Much was filled with sticks and sand,

too difficult to clean

But seed pods half closed or taller

They were perfect by our standards.

Kathy and Marion are weirdos

They spin thread on their wheels

Then weave it, knit it or crochet it,

Depending on how they feel.

We spent an hour or maybe three

Rank up.

Time flies when you're having fun

So how long I don't know.

We have tried to select the cleanest seed pods.

And take grains from the rest

To make it easier at home.

It was slow and quite a test.

When we picked and bagged the cotton

A country song stuck in my head

Mississippi Cotton Pickin' Delta Town

Good old Charlie Pride.

Then Rance mentioned another

The old cotton fields at home.

We sing this in our heads

Until the darkness took us home.

Mississippi Cotton Pickin' Delta Town

“In a cotton-picking town in the Mississippi delta
A dusty road of ups and downs
Not much to do other than hang out
Cotton picking in a Mississippi deltaCiudad…"

~Pride Charlie~

There must be a poem there.

–Rance Darlington

Kugelweber

As winter approaches, the days get shorter and darkness falls early, forcing us to pack up the cotton sacks we've already collected and head home. As we walked back through the lines to the car, Rance said, "There must be a poem in there." He knows that I have published volumes of poetry, so he tells me very often :) In fact, he inspired me to write poetry that I otherwise would not have thought of. Anyway, The Cotton Picking Crew poem above is the result, so thanks Rance.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on June 28, 2017:

No Shauna, we didn't wear gloves since we were only collecting a few hours before dark. I could see how they would be needed if you spent a full day picking. I'm glad you liked the poem.

bolos shauna lof Central Florida on June 28, 2017:

I love your poem John. Did you use gloves to pick cotton?

When my mother was growing up in Missouri, they would leave school for a few weeks in April or May to help families pick cotton. Mom says that it was exhausting work and very hard on the hands (scratches, etc.).

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on June 23, 2017:

Thanks Lorenzo :) Regards.

lorenzo goton June 22, 2017:

And it's also a great little poem!

I loved.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on June 13, 2017:

Thank you for complementing your excellent poetic comment. Luckily we picked it up at the end of the afternoon when the sun was no longer beating down. blessing back.

Shyron E Shenkoof Texas on June 13, 2017:

John,

Picking Cotton Isn't Fun

especially in the blazing sun

It hurts too much to sit

I have to pick up enough to get to the gin.

Dirty and sweaty, makes you want to swear

what is a sin

Good center, brings back memories of "The Last Hoedown".

blessings my friend.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (country of Gondwana) on 06/02/2017:

Thanks Flourish, I might post a picture of these when my wife gets some.

bloom anywayfrom USA on 06/02/2017:

good poem. I would love to see someone actually turn it into yarn!

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (country of Gondwana) on 06/02/2017:

Haha thanks Paula. It is always good to receive your comments. Health.

suziefrom Carson City on 06/02/2017:

Jodah... You always entertain. Now how do I get that song out of my head for the rest of the day? hahaha Your friend is right... if there's a poem somewhere, Jodah wrote it! Paula

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (country of Gondwana) on 06/02/2017:

Thank you It's a pleasure to receive a comment from you and I'm glad you liked it.

Oakof Wales on June 02, 2017:

Brilliant John, I loved it and here are many more.

Giro.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (country of Gondwana) on 06/01/2017:

Thank you Mrs Dora. Health.

Dora Weithersof the Caribbean on June 1, 2017:

The theme and photos evoked memories of cotton-picking stories, and her poem sealed the deal. Good reading!

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 30, 2017:

GalaxyRat, most people today have never had the experience of picking cotton firsthand, so you and I are among the privileged few. Thanks for reading and the good comment.

Galaxia Rataon May 30, 2017:

I love it, it's great. Not long ago I was at the Hermitage with my family and we were picking cotton. I kept the cleaner in a bag and it's hanging on my wall.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 30, 2017:

Devika, thanks for reading and commenting. I'm glad you found this interesting.

Devika Primicfrom Dubrovnik, Croatia on May 29, 2017:

Wow! A beautifully landscaped center! An interesting one about cotton fields. I had an idea about this story.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 29, 2017:

Yes, it was a great experience, Alyssa. Thanks for the nice comment.

alyssaaus Ohio on May 29, 2017:

What an unforgettable experience. Wonderful poetry!

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 29, 2017:

Hello Joe. I also wouldn't have imagined writing an article/poem about cotton picking if I hadn't had the unexpected opportunity to do so. The cotton was not suitable for commercial use but good for spinning on a small scale.

and mullerin Tennessee on May 29, 2017:

I never expected anyone from Down Under to get a tribute picking cotton. Cotton picking is now done by machine here, but in our country it was associated with slavery and sharecropping.

Great article and I love the idea of ​​you using this otherwise useless product to make new things.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 29, 2017:

thanks larry I really enjoyed choosing.

Larry Rankingaus Oklahoma am 28. As of 2017:

I never personally chose it. Great read!

Doris James MizBejabbersfrom the beautiful south on May 28, 2017:

John, your poem really hit the spot. I'm from the cotton picking south about 100 miles from Johnny Cash's hometown. I really appreciate your cotton harvest tribute and songs. The song's history dates back to the 1940s with frontman Belly and then Harry Belafonte in the late 1950s. It experienced a major revival during the rockabilly era. Great deal my friend.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Thanks clive. You are quite right that cotton picking would not evoke pleasant memories of slavery etc. in certain breeds.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Yes, Mike, even though I live in the city now, it's still rural, so there are farms everywhere. This town, Murgon, is actually called the beef capital of South Burnett, but there's also cotton, peanuts, dairy, etc. I hope you enjoy the music selection.

MANDAL DE DEBANGEEfrom India on May 27, 2017:

wonderful photos

mckbirdbksfrom Emerald Wells, right at the intersection, Texas on May 27, 2017:

Hi John. It seems that you can take the child out of the country, but you cannot take the country out of the child. I think I should complain less here since I haven't been asked to pick cotton yet. I am now listening to your selection of music.

A great inspiration to all of us.

clive williamsfrom Jamaica on May 27, 2017:

Very nice. But cotton picking was not good for all races. Just say.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Ramas, thank you. It's good that I got you to sing. I almost bought a piece of land in a town called Tara here in Australia. Although I don't know if there are cotton fields there.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Linda, I'm glad I was able to mentally transport you to a cotton field. Thank you for reading.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

thanks venkat I'm glad you liked it.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Eric, you're too nice. I think it's the ultimate compliment when a child likes something we write and we read it to them. The fact that this led him to ask you questions is even better. Thank you my friend.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Eric, you're too nice. I think it's the ultimate compliment when a child likes something we write and we read it to them. The fact that this led him to ask you questions is even better. Thank you my friend.

linda lumaus Washington State, USA on May 27, 2017:

John - I have never seen a cotton field, but your words took me there. Thanks for sharing this experience.

gypsy rose readsfrom Daytona Beach, Florida on May 27, 2017:

This was a great hub. He made me sing and he remembered the cotton fields near Tara in Gone with the Wind.

eric diekeraus Spring Valley, CA. USA on May 27, 2017:

First song I sang in a college town rock 'n' roll bar. They would put me there for something other than rock 'n' roll. I think I sang JC's original version.

You are very lucky not to have to choose a bail rate. this will cut your fingers to the bone.

Watch me go on and on Thank you for sharing this with my son and for asking more questions than a 30 year old classroom about the moon landing.

You are great John. My son keeps asking me to read his Betelgeuse.

Venkatachari M.from Hyderabad, India on May 27, 2017:

Very interesting and entertaining. The poems are great and the ones you composed are also very beautiful. Thank you, John, for that nice gift.

quiennunuquienfrom the US on May 27, 2017:

Brings back memories of days gone by. Well done my friend. blessings for all. who

MICKEY MOUSEfrom our world on May 27, 2017:

I have never worked on a farm. But I know it's full of hard work. Quite tedious and all the heat from the sun is eating our heads. Rain can be a blessing, but it can also become a problem when it rains a lot. Sometimes I think owning a farm full of animals is fun. But it is really a tedious life to manage a farm.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Bill, that was the only time I picked cotton and there was no pressure. I can't imagine doing this all day, every day, for a living.

bill hollandfrom Olympia, WA on May 27, 2017:

Very good response to the species challenge. Have you ever picked cotton, John? There's no way that boy would do that day in and day out... he'd come home without half my blood, ducking all the time. Hard work for hard people.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Welcome back Ruby. I'm glad you can refer to my cotton picking experience. It's not easy, but I would never do it again. I'm glad you liked the Boll Weavil song too.

Rubin Jean Richertof southern Illinois on May 27, 2017:

I listen to the "Boll Weavil" video and tap my toes. She was in Missouri with some friends picking cotton. My son Jackie was little and he picked up more than me, then we both lay in the sack, never again!

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

It's always good to get your feedback, Val. Yes, the oppressed or exploited always managed to find ways to overcome difficulties by turning their attention to songs and the like. I'm glad you liked my approach.

Val Karason May 27, 2017:

John --- What a beautiful way to describe those times when nothing but the human soul could inspire a song; the same soul that has always refused to succumb to hardship of any kind.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Praveen, I'm glad it reminded you of the story of Sleeping Beauty. Yes, there are many different types of spinning wheels for spinning cotton, wool, alpaca and many other fibers and subtleties.

MICKEY MOUSEfrom our world on May 27, 2017:

When I think of cotton, it reminds me of the story of Sleeping Beauty. There are different types of spinning wheels that are used to spin cotton.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Thanks for sharing this Mark. I'm sure picking cotton every day is no fun. That's where at least a few popular songs came from.

Markus Tulinfrom Long Beach, California on May 27, 2017:

It's always nice to recognize those who worked in the field. Much sweat and blood went into this work. Every time I walk past the workers huddled in the California fields, I think of all the pain they must feel in their bodies. The same goes for those who picked cotton in the south. They had to write songs to ease their suffering. It certainly wasn't out of joy.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

thanks tim You're right, it's not that easy and I wouldn't want to do it as a full time job like they have done in the past. I would have liked to have included more of the history of cotton, but it is so long that it was quite a task.

tim michelaus Escondido, CA May 27, 2017:

Class! Thank you for sharing the inspiring story and your experience. Cotton has a long history and most don't realize how difficult it is to pick.

John Hansen (Author)from Australia (Country of Gondwana) on May 27, 2017:

Thanks brother. I appreciate your kind comment and it was the first too. Be aware.

manatita44from London on May 27, 2017:

Nice incentive... excellent lyrics and great poetry.