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The last picture is from a hay field I used to help bale. The fella that owned it was a thrid generation farmer, born on the property, farmed it with his daddy; He got married and lived on the property. He raised sons on the same land as his grandad. He buried his wife and kept on raising cows and hay. He was diagnosed and subsequently beat cancer, and he still farmed the land. Years later, he taught me how to drive a tractor, run a rake and baler.
About two years ago, he sold all his cows and equipment; he's started selling off and renting on his land. Why? Because it doesn't pay to farm like it used to. Because everything from our wheat to our tobacco to "wild caught atlantic salmon" is raised in little greenhouses, in countries who would rather see Americans die of starvation.
thats effin' why
"Scarecrow on a wooden cross Blackbird in the barn
Four hundred empty acres that used to be my farm
I grew up like my daddy did My grandpa cleared this land
When I was five I walked the fence while grandpa held my hand
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation This land made me proud
And Son I'm just sorry there's no legacy for you now
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
The crops we grew last summer weren't enough to pay the loans
Couldn't buy the seed to plant this spring and the Farmers Bank foreclosed
Called my old friend Schepman up to auction off the land
He said John it's just my job and I hope you understand
Hey calling it your job ol' hoss sure don't make it right
But if you want me to I'll say a prayer for your soul tonight
And grandma's on the front porch swing with a Bible in her hand
Sometimes I hear her singing "Take me to the Promised Land"
When you take away a man's dignity he can't work his fields and cows
There'll be blood on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Blood on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Well there's ninety-seven crosses planted in the courthouse yard
Ninety-seven families who lost ninety-seven farms
I think about my grandpa and my neighbors and my name
And some nights I feel like dyin' Like that scarecrow in the rain
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation This land made me proud
And Son I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation This land made me proud
And Son I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow."
I don't own anything.
- Category
- Pop
- Tags
- Rock, John Cougar Mellencamp, Agriculture
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