Posted by Wendi (Flower Child) on May 7, 2008, 8:47 am, in reply to "Food supply...."
When I was a child, I was taught to appreciate America's farmers. My dad would point out fields of corn and wheat gently blowing in the breeze and tell me, this is what feeds us. Not just America, but two thirds of the world. That old man over there on the tractor, he would tell me, probably worked this land his whole life. If he hadn't, we wouldn't have food in the grocery stores.
But these people, and their land, are in danger. My dad told me this over, and over again. America is taxing the farmers' out of existence. And when they go away, we won't have enough food for ourselves - let alone the needy in the rest of the world.
Have you ever heard John Cougar Mellencamp's Rain On The Scarecrow? I have. The lyrics... are haunting. If you take the time to listen, and understand. But they are nothing that wasn't first told by the prophets, thousands of years ago. If we take the time to understand...
Scarecrow on a wooden cross blackbird in the barn
Four hundred empty acres that used to be my farm
I grew up like my daddy did my grandpa cleared this land
When I was five I walked the fence while grandpa held my hand
Chorus:
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 ol 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
Well theres ninety-seven crosses planted in the courthouse yard
Ninety-seven families who lost ninety-seven farms
I think about my grandpa and my neighbors and my name
And some nights I feel like dyin like that scarecrow in the rain
Chorus:
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
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
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