[Verse 1]
Willie and Laura Mae Jones were our neighbors a long time back
They lived right down the road from us in a shack just like our shack
We worked in the fields together and we learned to count on each other
When you live off the land, you don't have time to think about another man's color

[Chorus]
Oh, the cotton was high and the corn was growing fine
But that was another place and another time

[Verse 2]
We'd sit out on the front porch in the evening when the sun went down
Willie would play and Laura would sing and the children would dance around
And I'd bring over my guitar and we'd play into the night
And every now and then, Willie would grin and say, "Boy, you play all right"
And that made me feel so good

[Chorus]
Lord, the cotton was high and the corn was growing fine
But that was another place and another time

[Verse 3]
I remember we'd hitch up the mules when Saturday rolled around
We'd always stop by Willie's house and say, "Do y'all need anything from town?"
And he'd say, "No, but why don't y'all top on your way back home?
And I'll get Laura Mae to cook up some corn pone"
You know they're good
[Chorus]
Oh, Lord, the cotton was high and the corn was growing fine
But that was another place and another time

[Verse 4]
The years rolled past our land, they took back what they'd given
And we all knew we'd have to move if we was gonna make a living
So we all moved off and we went our separate ways
And it sure was hard to say goodbye to Willie and Laura Mae Jones

[Chorus]
Oh, the cotton was high and the corn was growing fine, yes, it was
But that was another place and another time

[Verse 5]
The years rolled past our door and we heard from them no more 'til I saw Willie downtown the other day
I said, "Y'all stop by tonight and we can sit down and eat a bite, we'd love to see your children and Laura Mae"
He shook his head real slow and spoke with his eyes so kind
"This is another place and another time"

[Chorus]
Lord, the cotton was high and the corn was growing fine
But that was another place and another time
Lord, Lord the cotton was high and the corn was growing fine
But that was another place and another time
[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, the cotton was high and the corn was growing so fine
But that was another place and another time, good God