Hay Days
Harvest Memories: A Rustic Tale of Hard Work and Timeless Bonds
Lyrics
Since 53’ he’s called me poppin’ Johnny
Refers to the speaker being called "poppin’ Johnny" since 1953.
Since the first day I arrived on this farm
Reflects on the speaker's first day on the farm.
We’ve turned a lot-a-ground into a little money
Describes the process of turning a large area of land into a modest income.
Stacked a million bales in that ol’ A-frame barn
Highlights the accomplishment of stacking a million bales in an old A-frame barn.
I’ve seen mile long days, last through the night
Recalls enduring long workdays that extended into the night.
But there ain’t no better place I could live my life
Expresses contentment with the farm life despite its challenges.
Man, you should-a seen me; yeah you should have seen us
Recounts the speaker's experiences, suggesting admiration from an observer.
Cutting them turn rows and kicking up that Franklin County dust
Describes the hard work of cutting turn rows and creating Franklin County dust.
My green paint would shine when he’d wash the dirt away
Recalls the time when the green paint of a machine shone after being washed.
Now I’m showing my age, but man you should-a seen me
Reflects on the aging process but emphasizes the past vitality.
Back in my hay days
Title line emphasizing a nostalgic period of active and fulfilling days.
Well he parked that horse drawn rake the day he bought me
Recalls the day the horse-drawn rake was replaced by the speaker.
Put his trust in me to carry a heavy load
Expresses trust in the speaker to handle heavy loads.
Well, I was proud to pull my weight and he was proud to drive me
Describes the pride in contributing and working together.
So for years and years round and round we’d go
Portrays the repetitive and continuous nature of their work.
Oh but about mid-day he’d let me rest a while
Mentions a mid-day break for the speaker to rest.
Take that short lunch break in the shade of my back tire
Describes a break taken in the shade of the machine's back tire.
Yeah you should have seen me; yeah you should have seen us
Reiterates the hard work of cutting turn rows and raising dust.
Cutting them turn rows and kicking up that Franklin County dust
Repeats the image of the green paint shining after washing away dirt.
My green paint would shine when he’d wash the dirt away
Reiterates the aging of the machine but with pride in its past glory.
Now I’m showing my age, but man you should have seen me
Reemphasizes the nostalgia and vitality of the speaker's prime.
Back in my hay days
Repeats the title line, reinforcing the nostalgic tone.
Now a days I spend my time underneath this white oak tree
Describes the current state of spending time under a white oak tree.
Right beside that old rake disappearing in the weeds
Mentions the old rake disappearing in the weeds, symbolizing disuse.
And somewhere our best friend is out here buried just like us
Refers to a buried friend, drawing a parallel to the machine's current state.
Ashes to ashes, steel to rust
Conveys the inevitable cycle of life and decay, from ashes to rust.
But you should have seen me; you should have seen us
Repeats the admiration for past experiences and hard work.
Cutting them turn rows and kicking up that Franklin County dust
Reiterates the image of cutting turn rows and raising Franklin County dust.
Well my green paint don’t shine no more and all my yellow has faded away
Highlights the current state of the machine, with faded paint and aging.
Yeah I’m showing my age, but man you should have seen me
Reiterates the aging process but with pride in the machine's past.
Back in my hay days
Concludes with a nostalgic reflection on the speaker's prime.
Yeah we’re showing our age, but man you should have seen us
Repeats the acknowledgment of aging, but with a collective perspective.
Back in our hay days, Back in my hay days.
Repeats the title line, summarizing the nostalgic theme of the song.
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