Classic Poem

1 Down in Alabama I was born,
Roll the cotton down;
Way down in Alabama I was born,
And I rolled the cotton down.

2 When I was young and in my prime;
Oh, roll the cotton down;
I thought I'd go and join the Line
And roll the cotton down.

3 And as a sailor caught a shine;
Roll the cotton down;
I shipped on board of the Black Ball Line;
And roll the cotton down.

4 Now, the Black Ball Line is the line for me;
Roll the cotton down:
That's when you want to go on a spree
And roll the cotton down.

5 In the Black Ball Line you can cut a big shine;
Oh, roll the cotton down:
For there you'll wake at any old time,
And roll the cotton down.

6 Now, see the Black Baller preparing for sea;
Then roll the cotton down:
You'll split your sides laughing, the sights to see,
And roll the cotton down.

7 There's tinkers and tailors, shoemakers and all,
Roll the cotton down:
They're all shanghaied on board the Black Ball
And roll the cotton down.