[Verse 1: Leadbelly & The Oleander Quartet, Both]
Jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton
I jump down, turn around to pick a bale a day
I jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton
I jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day

[Chorus: Leadbelly]
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day

[Verse 2: The Oleander Quartet]
Me and my gal can a-pick a bale of cotton
Me and my gal can a-pick a bale a day
Me and my gal can a-pick a bale of cotton
Me and my gal can a-pick a bale a day

[Chorus: Leadbelly & The Oleander Quartet]
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day

[Verse 3: The Oleander Quartet]
Me and my wife can pick a bale of cotton
Me and my wife can a-pick a bale a day
Me and my wife can pick a bale of cotton
Me and my wife can a-pick a bale a day
[Chorus: Leadbelly & The Oleander Quartet]
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day

[Verse 4: Leadbelly & The Oleander Quartet, Both]
Me and my friend can pick a bale of cotton
Me and my friend can pick a bale a day
Me and my friend can pick a bale of cotton
Me and my friend can pick a bale a day

[Chorus: Leadbelly & The Oleander Quartet]
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day

[Verse 4: The Oleander Quartet]
Me and my papa can pick a bale of cotton
Me and my papa can a-pick a bale a day
Me and my papa can pick a bale of cotton
Me and my papa can a-pick a bale a day

[Chorus: Leadbelly & The Oleander Quartet]
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day
Oh Lordy, pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale a day