Broken Heartland
Harvest of Despair: Life in a Fractured Heartland
Lyrics
He climbs up on his John Deere
Engaging in farm work using his John Deere tractor.
Shoves a plug of redman in his jaw
Putting chewing tobacco (Redman) in his mouth.
His eyes stretch cross the valley
Looking across the valley, observing changes like the construction of a mall.
Way down to where they're puttin' up a mall
Noticing urban development, possibly with a sense of concern or loss.
His baseball cap says Kansas
Identifying with Kansas through his cap, indicating pride in his roots.
The Washington says how much he can grow
Contrasting his farming capability with Washington, possibly reflecting on policies.
There's a bank note in his pocket
Carrying a bank note, suggesting financial challenges and the risk of losing his home.
That says in thirty days they'll have his home
Facing the imminent threat of losing his home within thirty days.
It's hard living in a broken heartland
Expressing the difficulties of living in an area undergoing hardship.
It's enough to break a man and his beliefs
Acknowledging the emotional toll on a man and his beliefs in such challenging circumstances.
Lord, give him strength to mend this broken heartland
Praying for strength to heal the broken heartland.
'Cause he's living proof of a dying breed
Considering himself a living proof of a disappearing way of life.
His sons gone off to college
His son pursuing education away from the farm, aiming for a different life.
Learning skills that'll get him off the farm
Highlighting the practical skills needed to leave the agricultural lifestyle.
And his wife just keeps it all inside
His wife coping with challenges silently, providing solace in their relationship.
Still he finds his only comfort in her arms
Finding comfort in the emotional support of his wife despite the challenges.
And this tractors been his treasure
Valuing his tractor as a significant possession, possibly facing financial struggles.
Oh how could an auction measure its true worth
Questioning how an auction could capture the true value of his cherished tractor.
And every night he asks the father
Seeking divine intervention to ensure the preservation of the land (mother earth).
That he may never lose this mother earth
Expressing a deep connection to the land and a desire to retain it.
It's hard living in a broken heartland
Reiterating the challenges of living in a region undergoing hardship.
It's enough to break a man and his beliefs
Highlighting the impact on personal beliefs and resilience.
Lord, give him strength to mend this broken heartland
Asking for strength to heal and restore the broken heartland.
'Cause he's living proof of a dying breed
Identifying himself as evidence of a disappearing way of life.
Lord, give him strength to mend this broken heartland
Repeating the plea for strength to mend the broken heartland.
'Cause he's living proof of a dying breed
Affirming his status as a living proof of a fading tradition or lifestyle.
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