Cotton Fields
Joe Strummer & The Pogues Lyrics

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Now the party's over

And the money's all gone

You remember feeling like Jesus' son

Now your girl has left your side

And now you're gonna get crucified

They're gonna crucify you

Crucify you, crucify you, crucify you

In those old cotton fields back home, back home

Too late to joke or crack a smile

You gotta carry that shit up that drunken mile

When they put the electrodes in your brain

Even your Mother won't know you're sane

First Lord Nelson's sunken ships

Now Steve Lillywhite's drunken mix

They're gonna crucify you

Crucify you, crucify you, crucify you

In those old cotton fields back home, back home

Back home

Back home

Back home

Back home

In those old cotton fields back home

Back home

Back home

Back home

In those old cotton fields back home

Back home

Back home

Back home

In those old cotton fields back home

Back home

Back home

Back home

...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Joe Strummer & The Pogues's song Cotton Fields paint a picture of a person who once felt like a hero - "like Jesus' son" - but is now facing the consequences of their actions. The party is over, the money's gone, and their lover has left them. The tone of the song is bleak, as if the singer has come to realize the full extent of their foolishness. Now they must carry the weight of their mistakes, even in the face of punishment, as indicated by the repeated refrain, "crucify you, crucify you, crucify you."

There is also an air of nostalgia in the lyrics, with references to "those old cotton fields back home." Perhaps the person is reflecting on their childhood or simpler times before their mistakes caught up with them. The final lines of the song use "back home" as a refrain, as if the person is desperately trying to return to that place where they once felt safe, secure, and happy. Overall, Cotton Fields is a powerful commentary on the consequences of bad decisions, the pain of regret, and the desire to return to a time before it all went wrong.

Line by Line Meaning

Now the party's over
The good times have ended

And the money's all gone
You've run out of cash

You remember feeling like Jesus' son
You used to feel unstoppable

Now your girl has left your side
Your partner has abandoned you

And now you're gonna get crucified
You're going to face the consequences of your actions

They're gonna crucify you
You'll be punished severely

Crucify you, crucify you, crucify you
The punishment will be intense

In those old cotton fields back home, back home
The nostalgic and painful memories of home

Too late to joke or crack a smile
The situation is too serious for humor

You gotta carry that shit up that drunken mile
You have to face the difficult consequences of your actions

When they put the electrodes in your brain
As a form of punishment