I stongly agree with David Ingerson's points.

However, I would also say that even putting a song like this in context would make it still difficult for some African Americans like me to accept it.

I think it is because the words used then have different connotations now. When I was much younger-when I didn't know my "roots and culture" I remember using the expression "Lordy Miss Claudie!" .I guess this is from some other song..

But now in my old age "Lordy Miss Claudie" and the "Oh Lordy!" in "Pick A Bale Of Cotton" are "muddied" for me with the stigma of Stephin Fetchet.

So should "Pick A Bale Of Cotton" be sung just for fun in schools-I don't think so.

Should the song be used as a cultural, historical folklorist lesson in schools. I say yes.