Willie and Laura Mae Jones - Tony Joe White

Willie and Laura Mae Jones

Were our neighbors as 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

The cotton was high

And the corn was growing fine

But that was another place and another time

We 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

Lord the cotton was high

And the corn was growing fine

But that was another place and another time

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?»

He’d say, «No, but why don’t y’all

Stop on your way back home?

And I’ll get Laura Mae

To cook up some corn pone»

You know they’re good

Lord the cotton was high

And the corn was growing fine

But that was another place and another time

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

The cotton was high

And the corn was growing fine, yes it was

But that was another place and another time

The years rolled past our door

And we heard from them no more

Till I saw Willie down town 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»

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

Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord

The cotton was high

And the corn was growing fine

But that was another place and another time