Down on the Farm
Down on the Farm: A Reflection on the Vanishing Way of Life
Lyrics
Looking back a hundred years
Reflecting on events from a century ago
On daughters and sons of the land
Referring to the descendants of the land
Who're standing here, holding a fistful of dirt
People currently present, holding soil symbolically
Watching it slip through my hands
Observing the earth slipping away
See the fields of sweat and tears
Depicting fields marked by hard work and emotion
Where we labored in love
Describing labor filled with love
We cursed the wind and we prayed for rain
Expressing the struggle against adversity
But never thought of giving it up
Commitment to the land without thoughts of quitting
Oh, down on the farm
Reference to the farm
Oh, somebody's dreams are ending
Recognition of dreams fading away
When a way of life can be auctioned off
Acknowledging the auctioning of a way of life
There's more than one fence that needs bending
Highlighting multiple challenges to overcome
It looks like to me, this country still needs
Assertion that the country needs effort and strength
A muscle and two strong arms
Emphasizing physical labor and resilience
If we can send a man up to the moon
Comparing achievements like sending a man to the moon
We can keep a man down on the farm
Arguing for sustaining life on the farm
Staring out of this factory window
View from an industrial window, seeking understanding
Trying to make sense of it all
Recalling a time when corn grew abundantly
I remember on this very spot, corn standing ten feet tall
Nostalgia for the past abundance
America, America, who do we blame it on?
Pondering responsibility for current challenges
It was only the family fund, who really cares if it's gone
Downplaying the loss of family funds
Oh, down on the farm
Reiteration of the farm setting
Oh, somebody's dreams are ending
Repeating the theme of dreams ending
When a way of life can be auctioned off
Reemphasizing the auctioning of a way of life
There's more than one fence that needs bending
Reiteration of multiple challenges
It looks like to me, this country still needs
Reaffirming the need for effort and strength
A muscle and two strong arms
Repeating the importance of physical labor
If we can send a man up to the moon
Linking the capability to send a man to the moon
We can keep a man down on the farm
Restating the importance of keeping a man on the farm
America, America, who do we blame it on?
Questioning who is to blame for the current situation in America
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