Rice Field in the Distance
Legacy of the Rice Field: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Endurance
Lyrics
Old Hank's sitting on the front porch, rocking the days away
Old Hank spends his time on the front porch, reflecting on life.
Ever since he went blind, you know he ain't had much to say
Hank, now blind, is mostly silent due to his condition.
And there's a rice field in the distance up around the bend
A rice field is visible in the distance, symbolizing an important location.
Fourteen miles from the river and where it all began
The rice field is fourteen miles from the river, marking a significant starting point.
Charlie was old Hank's boy and the last of a dying breed
Charlie, Hank's son, is a rare and genuine cowboy with strong characteristics.
A genuine cowboy, he was sturdy as a live oak tree
Charlie is resilient, compared to a sturdy live oak tree.
And if you ever had the pleasure to meet him, you was bound to hear a story or two
Charlie is known for sharing stories, portraying a rich life experience.
And he always did the best with what he had, it was no more than the saints could do
Charlie makes the best of what he has, akin to the actions of saints.
Charlie met this girl named Kate, soon she became his wife
Charlie marries Kate during difficult times, highlighting their resilience.
But times was hard back then, and they did what they could to survive
Charlie and Kate endure hardships to survive.
They didn't have much of nothing, lived in a shack with a cold dirt floor
They live in a humble dwelling with a cold dirt floor.
Till they bought 'em a two-story Roebuck house with Hank's pension from the war
They upgrade to a two-story Roebuck house with Hank's pension.
And Billy Glenn's in the back, he's the youngest of Charlie and Kate's eight kids
Billy Glenn, the youngest of Charlie and Kate, struggles with farm work.
He's trying to squeeze out another drop from a cow that just won't give
Billy faces challenges in extracting milk from an uncooperative cow.
It was a hard scrabble, a way to come up, but he was his daddy's son
Billy inherits the hardworking spirit from his father.
And he never complained about the work a minute, he just did what had to be done
Billy never complains, diligently doing what needs to be done.
In that rice field in the distance up around the bend
The rice field is revisited, emphasizing its significance.
Fourteen miles from the river and where it all began
The distance from the river marks a timeless and unending work environment.
It's where time stood still, and the work it would never end
The rice field represents a place where time stands still, work never ends.
In that rice field in the distance up around the bend
The repetition underscores the enduring nature of the rice field.
Charlie died in that rice field, one day his heart just give out
Charlie dies in the rice field, his heart giving out from the labor.
And at his funeral the grown men wept and it was all they could talk about
Grown men weep at Charlie's funeral, focusing on his impactful stories.
All the stories that he shared with them and the lessons from him they learned
Charlie leaves a legacy of stories and valuable lessons.
And the countless things that he'd done for them asking nothing in return
Charlie selflessly did countless things for others without expecting anything in return.
And Kate lived to be ninety-seven and on her dying day
Kate lives to ninety-seven, and on her death, generations gather to reminisce.
The generations gathered in a circle and all began to pray
A circle forms to pray and remember the sacrifices made for them.
Yeah they reminisced about days gone by and sacrifices made for them
Reflections on past days and sacrifices are shared.
In that rice field in the distance up around the bend
The rice field symbolizes enduring memories and hardships.
Yeah that rice field in the distance up around the bend
Reiteration of the rice field's enduring nature and distant location.
Fourteen miles from the river and where it all began
Reemphasis on the rice field's distance and connection to the river.
It's where time stood still and the work it would never end
Time standing still in the rice field and perpetual labor.
In that rice field in the distance up around the bend
Revisiting the enduring nature of the rice field up around the bend.
May the circle be unbroken and the memories never end
May the circle be unbroken, expressing a wish for everlasting memories.
Of that rice field in the distance up around the bend
A final acknowledgment of the lasting impact of the rice field.
Yeah that rice field in the distance
Reiteration of the rice field's distant presence and significance.
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