The Cotton Patch (Mono / Remastered 2022)

I was raised in the middle of the cotton belt, babe
But I ain't gonna stay
I'll lose my shape fast draggin' cotton sacks
And eatin' butter beans every day
Yeah, I'm a sweet young thing, I just turned eighteen
And I'm unhookin' the latch
'Cause I've got too much class for this cotton patch

I've been readin' magazines on our
Once-a-week trip to town on Saturday
And I've seen all the pretty clothes and handsome rich men
And I know that's for me
Papa's been tryin' to pair me up with Willie Bob
Whose daddy owns the cotton gin
Huh, I done checked Willie out two years ago
And Willie knows I'm too much for him

It's Monday mornin', four o'clock, got my sack packed
And I'm out here where the freeway runs
Here comes a truck, I'm in luck
He's goin' straight through on a Dallas run
Yeah, I'm headin' for Big D and I know that's the place
For me to really make a catch
Well, finally I'm a-gettin' my class out of this cotton patch

I arrived in style 'board that big semi and I felt mighty high
Waltzin' into the best department
Store for employment to suit my style
And I was doin' pretty good 'til some wise cracker came on the scene
He called me a ripe tomato but he said I sure looked green

I tried every door to every store in town
But my luck had run down
It seemed nobody 'round Dallas
Could recognize the class I'd brought to town
And after all day of lookin', would
You believe the only job I could land
Was in a dog food factory stickin' labels on dog food cans

Dear Mama, how are you, Pop, and the kids? Hope you're doin' okay
Me, I never did find a better job and all the rich men got away
Mama, I've been thinkin', pretty soon, you know, I'll be nineteen
And I sure learned a lot about class fast, Mama, know what I mean

Mama, if you'd ask Papa if he could spare a few dollars
I'd catch the next Greyhound comin' home
And tell him if Willie Bob ain't committed yet
I'd be willin' to give him another try
After all, it's been over two years
Just tell Papa to send the money