Widespread Panic - Cotton Was King lyrics

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