Bobbie Gentry：Meaning of Parchman Farm Songmeaning

Bobbie Gentry's song "Parchman Farm" tells the story of a man who is imprisoned on Parchman Farm, which is a real-life prison farm located in Mississippi. The lyrics describe how the man is sitting in jail, having never caused harm to anyone. The mention of putting cotton in an eleven-foot sack refers to the hard labor prisoners were often subjected to on the farm. The lyrics also mention that the man has a twelve gauge shotgun at his back while working, implying that the prison authorities closely monitor and control the prisoners. The reference to number nine suggests that the man is assigned a specific spot or cell within the prison. The song further states that the man will remain on Parchman Farm for the rest of his life. The final line reveals that the reason for his imprisonment is shooting his wife. This suggests that the man's actions in his personal life led to his incarceration, ultimately leaving him trapped on the farm for the remainder of his days.