RAIN ON THE SCARECROW
John Cougar Mellancamp


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.

Rain on the scarecrow, blood on the plow
This land fed a nation, this land made me proud
And son I'm just sorry there's 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 were'nt enough to pay the loans
Couldn't buy the seeds to plant this spring and the Farmers Bank 
foreclosed
Called my old friend Schepman up to auction off the land
He said John it's just my job and I hope you understand
Hey callin' it your job ol' hoss sure don't make it right.
If you want me to I'll say a prayer for your soul tonight.

And grandma's 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 can't work his fields and cows
There'll be blood on the scarecrow, blood on the plow

Well there's ninety seven crosses planted in the courthouse yard
Ninety seven families who lost ninety seven 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 I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now.