Senath Mo.Class of '58
The Farmer In The Field
The following is dedicated in fondest memory to my grandpa (my mother's dad)
Benjamin (Ben) Franklin of Harrisburg, Arkansas
I can still picture him standing in that “hill country” pasture located adjacent to The Old Bethany Baptist Church.
The place is about five miles out of Harrisburg, Arkansas and across the road from The Old Bethany Cemetery.
The last time I visited “papa's old home place” was in the summer of 1973.
Jerry Mack Rose went with me.
Together, we recalled many childhood memories thinking they were long ago.
(Bob Corley)
WHILE RESTING ONE DAY BESIDE OF THE ROAD,
I SAW AN OLD FARMER IN A FIELD HE HAD JUST HOED
HIS FACE WAS ALL BROWN AND WRINKLED BY THE WIND
AND HE WAS TALKIN TO THE LORD,
JUST LIKE HE'D BE TALKIN TO A FRIEND
WELL SIR HE SAID IN A VOICE CALM & QUIET
THEM CORN TASSLES NEED SACKIN
BUT I GOT NO STRING TO TIE IT.
HAD NO RAIN IN SO LONG
THAT THE FIELDS ARE MIGHTY DUSTY
AND IT'S BEEN SO UNBAREABLE HOT
THAT THE KIDS ARE GETTIN FUSSY.
NOW THAT GRASS DOWN IN THE PASTURE
SHOULD BE KNEE HIGH
IF WE COULD JUST HAVE A LITTLE SHOWER, LORD
IT MIGHT KEEP THE COW FROM GOIN DRY.
AH, BUT LISTEN TO ME TALKIN
YOU ' D THINK I WASN ' T GRATEFUL.
WY, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW ME SO WELL, LORD
YOU'D THINK I WAS DOWNRIGHT HATEFUL.
YOU'D THINK I'D FORGOT ABOUT THE NEW CALF
THAT YOU SENT
THE MONEY IN THE MAIL
THAT TOOK CARE OF THE RENT.
MA'S COLD'S BETTER AND JOHNNY'S HOME FROM THE NAVY, AND
THAT GOOD SUNDAY DINNER OF CHICKEN DUMPLIN & GRAY;
THAT NEW PREACHER YOU SENT US LORD,
HE SURE IS A FINE YOUNG MAN
WY, HE'S JUST CONVERTIN THOSE SINNERS TO BEAT THE BAN:
WELL, GUESS I'LL BE MOSSYIN ALONG LORD.
WON'T BE TAKING ANYMORE OF YOUR TIME.
GUESS THERES PLENTY OF FOLKS HEREABOUTS
WAITIN TO RING YOUR LINE.
EVENIN TO YOU LORD AND WATCH OVER US TONIGHT
AND DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT US NONE LORD
CAUSE
EVERYTHINGS GOIN TO BE ALL RIGHT.