scarecrow on a wooden cross
blackbird in the barn
four hundred empty acres
that used to be my farm
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 im just sorry
theres 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
werent enough to pay the loans
couldnt 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 its just my job
and i hope you understand
hey calling it your job ole hoss
sure dont make it right
but if you want me to
ill say a prayer for your soul tonight
and grandmas 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 mans dignity
he cant work his fields and cows
therell be
blood on the scarecrow
blood on the plow
blood on the scarecrow
blood on the plow
theres 97 crosses
planted in the courthouse yard
ninetyseven families who
lost ninetyseven farms
i think about my grandpa
my neighbors and my name
and some nights
i feel like dying
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 im just sorry
theyre 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 so proud
son im just sorry
theyre just memories for you now
rain on the scarecrow
blood on the plow
rain on the scarecrow
blood on the plow
Artist: John Mellencamp
Year: 1986
Decade: 80s
Language: en
Word Count: 185