cotton fields

[Nefertiti]

Hi there.

"In them old cotton fields back home"
1. Does 'them' refer to 'old cotton fields'?

"when them cotton bolls get rotten"
2. Does 'them' refer to 'cotton bolls'?
3. Why not 'they' if the answer to my question #2 is yes?


Thanks in advance.

_______
The Song Creedence Clearwater Revival | Cotton Fields lyrics

[2006]

Hi there.

"In them old cotton fields back home"
1. Does 'them' refer to 'old cotton fields'?
Yes

"when them cotton bolls get rotten"
2. Does 'them' refer to 'cotton bolls'? Yes
3. Why not 'they' if the answer to my question #2 is yes?
You cannot say 'they cotton bolls'. You can say 'the cotton bolls' or 'those cotton bolls'.
Don't pay attention to the grammar in song lyrics because it is often wrong!!

However, listening to songs can be a way to improve your listening comprehension, especially if you can listen and see the words at the same time. But remember that even the pronunciation sometimes is not standard. After all, you are listening to singing, not to speaking.

2006