Jim's Note: I was listening to some live Neil Young tracks, and one in particular, Dance, Dance, Dance, grabbed my attention.
Out of the blue, I started writing the lyrics to this song, to Neil’s melody. In the end I slowed my tune right down, and made several changes which I hope are different enough from Neil’s to avoid litigation!
As for the subject matter, I have no idea where that came from, or indeed where the ‘land of cotton’ is. The obvious interpretation is the American 'deep south', but that is just one of several possible interpretations.

The Land of Cotton 
© 2005, Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
Click to Hear the Song | Chord Chart

Johnny went down to the land of cotton,
Never ever, should’a gone down there.
I heard folks say, something’s rotten,
You can smell it on the night air.

Johnny got caught with a farmers daughter,
Should'a known better than to play that game.
Found him floating in a pool of water,
Everybody said it was a real shame.

Loula went down to the land of cotton,
Should’a stayed high on the mountain.
Her momma’s words were soon forgotten,
(Her) Blood ran down like a fountain. 

Found her body underneath some branches,
Not much left for the burying ground.
(They) Miss her smile at the country dances,
Would’a been better in her own town.
 

CHORUS 
Oh, the land of the free,
In the land of cotton I’ll be.
Oh, the land of the free,
In the land of cotton I’ll be.

Billy went down to the land of cotton,
Said he was looking for a new start.
Lost his life when he got shot ‘n’
A women put a bullet into his heart. 

Lost his money in a game of poker,
Called her out; what a stupid plan.
All he held was a useless joker, 
She held a pistol in her right hand.

CHORUS

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK – REPEAT CHORUS]

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