See how the lint flies over the morning
See how the smoke in the valley clings
See how the (slateure? maybe slate roof reference) shines in the drizzle
This is the valley where cotton is king

Yep, 20 years is about right !

lint = lin't = linnet ?
I can guess but not be sure that line 3 is
See how the slate roof shines in the drizzle

I may be completely wrong about this so don't quote me :)

I "think I remember" that Mike Harding wrote this ? He certainly wrote and performed similar material in the early part of his career (singing in Mather College Folk Club etc.).
I definately heard him perform this song in clubs about that time, (as well as Gary & Vera, Horden Raikes, etc). The song was quite popular as I recall.

AndyG