About the song
In the realm of country music, few collaborations have left an indelible mark on the genre’s history as The Highwaymen. This supergroup, comprising four of the most iconic figures in American music – Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash – came together to create a unique sound that blended their individual styles and experiences. One of their most memorable performances is the “Michael/Cotton Fields Medley,” a poignant and powerful tribute to the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit.
The song, which combines two classic hits – “Michael” by The Band and “Cotton Fields” by Creedence Clearwater Revival – is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together tales of hardship, perseverance, and redemption. The medley begins with the haunting melody of “Michael,” which speaks to the struggles of a young man trying to find his place in the world. The song’s themes of isolation and longing are expertly woven into the fabric of “Cotton Fields,” which tells the story of a sharecropper’s journey from the rural South to the urban North.
Throughout the performance, The Highwaymen’s distinctive voices blend together in harmony, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both nostalgic and timeless. Willie Nelson’s smooth, velvety tone is the perfect complement to Waylon Jennings’ rugged, rebellious edge, while Kris Kristofferson’s gravelly growl adds a sense of gravitas to the proceedings. Johnny Cash, with his deep, baritone voice, provides the perfect anchor, his presence grounding the performance in a sense of authenticity and authority.
The “Michael/Cotton Fields Medley” is more than just a musical performance – it’s a testament to the power of music to bring people together and transcend the boundaries of time and place. It’s a reminder that, despite our differences, we are all connected by our shared human experiences, and that music has the ability to speak to our deepest hopes and fears. As The Highwaymen take the stage, their voices blending together in perfect harmony, it’s clear that this is a performance that will be remembered for generations to come.
Video
Lyrics
When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle
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.Oh, when them cotton balls 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,
And them old cotton fields back home.It may sound a little funny,
But you didn’t make very much money
In them old cotton fields back home.
It may sound a little funny,
But you didn’t make very much money
In them old cotton fields back home.Oh, when them cotton balls 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,
And 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.
When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home,
In them old cotton fields back home.