| I used to work for Harvester
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| I used to use my hands
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| I used to make the tractors and the combines
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| That plowed and harvested these great lands
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| But now i see my handiwork on the block, everywhere i turn
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| And i see the clouds cross the weathered faces
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| And i watch the harvest burn
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| I quit the plant in '57
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| Had some time for farming them
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| Banks back then was lending money
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| The banker was the farmer’s friend
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| I’ve seen dogs day, dusty days
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| Last spring snows and early fall sleets
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| Held the leather reigns in my hand
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| And felt the soft ground under my feet
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| Between the hot dry weather, the taxes and the Cold War
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| Its been hard to make ends meet
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| But I always put the clothes on our backs
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| Always put the shoes on our feet
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| My grandson he comes home from college
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| He says «we get the government we deserve»
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| My son in law just shakes his head and says
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| «That little punk, he never had to serve»
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| And i sit here in the shadow of suburbia
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| And look out across these empty fields
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| And i sit here in earshot of the by pass
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| And all night i listen to the rushing of the wheels
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| The big boys, they all got computers
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| They got incorporated to
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| Me, i just know how to raise things
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| Thats all i ever knew
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| Now it all comes down to numbers
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| Now i’m glad that i have quit
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| Folks these days just don’t do nothing
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| Simply for the love of it
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| Went into town on the fourth of july
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| Watched them parade past the union jack
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| Watched them break out the brass, beat on the drum
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| One step forward and two steps back
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| Saw a sign on easy street said «be prepared to stop»
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| Pray for the independent little man
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| I don’t see next years crop
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| And I sit here on the backporch in the twilight
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| And I hear the crickets hum
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| And I sit and watch the lighting in the distance
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| But the showers never come
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| And I sit here listen to the wind blow
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| And I sit here and rub my hands
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| And I sit here and listen to the clock strike
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| And I wonder when i’ll see my companion again |