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I Never Picked Cotton

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[Intro]
|  E|  E|  E|  E|
[Chorus] 
EI never picked cottonE  
Like my Amother Edid and my Abrother Edid
And my Asister Edid and my Adaddy died Eyoung
  B7Working in a Ecoal mineE  E  
[Verse 1] 
When FI was just a baby, too little for the cotton sack
FI played in the dirt, while the others worked, til they couldn't straighten their backs
And I F#made my self a promise, when I was old enough to run
F#That I'd never stay, a single day, in that Oklahoma sun
[Chorus] 
And I Enever picked cottonE  
Like my Amother Edid and my Abrother Edid
And my Asister Edid and my Adaddy died Eyoung
  B7Working in a Ecoal mineE  E  
[Verse 2] 
Folks Fsaid that I grew up early and the farm couldn't hold me then
FSo I stole ten bucks and a pick up truck and I never went back again
And it was F#fast cars and wiskey, long legged girls and fun
I had everything, that money could bring and I took it all with a gun
[Chorus] 
And I Enever picked cottonE  
Like my Amother Edid and my Abrother Edid
And my Asister Edid and my Adaddy died Eyoung
  B7Working in a Ecoal mineE  E  
[Verse 3] 
It was FSaturday night in Memphis, when a redneck grabbed my shirt
FAnd he said go back, to your cotton sack, I left him lyin in the dirt
And they'll F#take me in the morning, to the gallows just outside
F#And in the time I've got, their aint a hell of a lot, I can look back on with pride
[Chorus] 
But I Enever picked cottonE  
Like my Amother Edid and my Abrother Edid
And my Asister Edid and my Adaddy died Eyoung
  B7Working in a Ecoal mineE  E  
[Chorus] 
I Enever picked cottonE  
Like my Amother Edid and my Abrother Edid
And my Asister Edid and my Adaddy died Eyoung
  B7Working in a Ecoal mine
[Outro]
|  E|  E|  E|  E|

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

This song, appearing on the album American II: Unchained, draws on the deep themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption that characterize much of Johnny Cash's work. With his distinctive deep voice, Cash often explored the lives of working people and those facing hardship. While he was born to poor cotton farmers, the song's title, "I Never Picked Cotton," suggests a narrative that might explore a different path taken or a reflection on a life lived apart from the expected. It plays like a personal testament, perhaps of resilience or a different kind of struggle.

AI-written from these sources:Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

I Never Picked Cotton

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

E E E E

| | | | |

[Chorus]

E E

I never picked cotton

A E A E

Like my mother did and my brother did

A E A E

And my sister did and my daddy died young

B7 E E E

Working in a coal mine

[Verse 1]

When I was just a baby, too little for the cotton sack

I played in the dirt, while the others worked, til they couldn't straighten their backs

And I made my self a promise, when I was old enough to run

That I'd never stay, a single day, in that Oklahoma sun

[Chorus]

E E

And I never picked cotton

A E A E

Like my mother did and my brother did

A E A E

And my sister did and my daddy died young

B7 E E E

Working in a coal mine

[Verse 2]

Folks said that I grew up early and the farm couldn't hold me then

So I stole ten bucks and a pick up truck and I never went back again

And it was fast cars and wiskey, long legged girls and fun

I had everything, that money could bring and I took it all with a gun

[Chorus]

E E

And I never picked cotton

A E A E

Like my mother did and my brother did

A E A E

And my sister did and my daddy died young

B7 E E E

Working in a coal mine

[Verse 3]

It was Saturday night in Memphis, when a redneck grabbed my shirt

And he said go back, to your cotton sack, I left him lyin in the dirt

And they'll take me in the morning, to the gallows just outside

And in the time I've got, their aint a hell of a lot, I can look back on with pride

[Chorus]

E E

But I never picked cotton

A E A E

Like my mother did and my brother did

A E A E

And my sister did and my daddy died young

B7 E E E

Working in a coal mine

[Chorus]

E E

I never picked cotton

A E A E

Like my mother did and my brother did

A E A E

And my sister did and my daddy died young

B7 E

Working in a coal mine

[Outro]

E E E E

| | | | |

About I Never Picked Cotton Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play I Never Picked Cotton by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Never Picked Cotton chords”, “I Never Picked Cotton guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash I Never Picked Cotton chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy I Never Picked Cotton chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Never Picked Cotton lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, B7, F, F#.

FAQ — I Never Picked Cotton by Johnny Cash

How do I play "I Never Picked Cotton" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "I Never Picked Cotton" by Johnny Cash on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "I Never Picked Cotton" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "I Never Picked Cotton" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "I Never Picked Cotton" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "I Never Picked Cotton" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "I Never Picked Cotton"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "I Never Picked Cotton" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "I Never Picked Cotton" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "I Never Picked Cotton" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "I Never Picked Cotton" in?

The chords for "I Never Picked Cotton" show the original chord names (including E, A, B7, F, F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.