Katie and Burl

I once knew the man who farmed this land

He worked himself to an early grave

He grew what he could and he saved all he could save

Now he’s back to the earth where he came from

He married a girl named Katie

They met in church on a Sunday

They went their own way and they raised four kids

And they tried to live as their parents did

Oh what can be said of a man and his wife

When it takes all they’ve got just to keep themselves alive

I once knew the man who farmed this land

Their first child was born in the winter time

But he was small and weak so soon the baby died

But they were strong, so they went on

And with the help of each other they raised four strong

Now the farm which I speak of now is all gone

It’s all been sold to a millionaire’s son

For a golf course and a business park, nothing to be grown

Old Burl he would cry if he could see his farm gone

Oh what can be said of a man and his wife

When it takes all they’ve got just to keep themselves alive

I once knew the man who farmed this land