'Leven Cent Cotton, Forty Cent Meat by Bob Miller and Emma Dermer Bob Miller was famous for his social commentaries and topical songs. Though, 'Leven Cent Cotton" was written before the Depression, it became especially relevant during the thirties. Vernon Dalhart and a few others recorded it, but many of its travels were from person to person. Miller was born in Memphis and was no stranger to the rural South. 'Leven Cent Cotton, Forty Cent Meat 'leven cent cotton used to wrinkle my brow, But, oh good Lord, look what it's at now! We've gone in debt way past our ears, Ain't had a square meal in the last four years! Ain't felt no money in such a long time, I'd feel that I was rich if I had a thin dime! There's no use talkin' any man's beat With five cent cotton and forty cent meat! Five cent cotton and forty cent meat, How in the hell can a poor man eat? Votin' time is comin', and just watch us all, You can bet your hide there'll be a change somewhere this fall! Past four years have been mighty bad, Had to tighten up our belts and our clothes look sad. There's no use talkin' any man's beat With five cent cotton and forty cent meat! Five cent cotton and forty cent meat, How in the hell can a poor man eat? Just look me over and you can see That a good square meal is gonna kill poor me! In Washington they eat the corn while we get the cob, But after next election someone will be lookin' for a job! There's no use talkin' any man's beat With five cent cotton and forty cent meat! Five cent cotton and forty cent meat, How in the hell can a poor man eat? The folks up in Washington are fat and full While we've been starvin' on promises and bull! And wasn't we promised a dinner pail? But the only thing that's full is our county jail! There's no use talkin' any man's beat With five cent cotton and forty cent meat! Five cent cotton and forty cent meat, How in the hell can a poor man eat? The harder we work the less we have; We know the farm relief has been a lot of salve! When our clothes wear out we'll all go nude, But what are we gonna substitute instead of food? There's no use talkin' any man's beat With five cent cotton and forty cent meat! Ain't no use a-talkin', we're gonna make a change, There's always a liniment for every mangy. The liniment for hard times is castin' my vote And gettin' rid of them who rocks the boat. We've all been fools, when times were good But now we gotta think as we should! There's no use talkin' any man's beat With five cent cotton that's impossible to eat! Buy the song 'Leven Cent Cotton, Forty Cent Meat