Before the beginning you know something already started
Oh in the summer, smoking palace welcoming all the full hearted
The sun will settle down, with blind anticipation
Long that moon will shine it's light on a sordid celebration
Before Cotton Was King
Before sugar was queen
Rivers from the north lands stroll slowly to the sea
Givin' birth to the city lights like it was always meant to be
Ships sail in with foreign hands some who never leave
Every child a woven basket the night is new years eve
When Cotton Was King
When sugar was queen
Float on shady the future is not afraid
Hold on shady cat on the back of time's parade
Float on shady the future is not afraid
Hold on shady cat to the back of time's parade
Same souls have lived this place forever and a hundred years
Every dazzling race so close that color disappears
Tigers circlin' the tree they make butter on our bread
Some will say they'll have their day - some that did have never said
Cotton Was King
Oh, sugar was queen
Rice is the lady in waiting
Oh, Cotton Was King