Stick That in the Ground and See If It Grows
Performed by Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
Stick That in the Ground and See If It Grows – Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1:
They say we’re just complainin’, that we oughta settle down,
But they ain’t in these fields, and they don’t walk this ground.
It’s easy from the city, where the lights are shinin’ bright,
But out here, things are different, and we’re in a fight.
They talk about the future, while we’re barely holdin’ on,
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows when hope is gone.
Chorus:
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows,
While the bankers count their money and the big guys run the shows.
They don’t know the cost of blood, sweat, and dirt,
While we break our backs just to see the crops make.
They’re makin’ all the rules, but they ain’t pullin’ plows,
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows somehow.
Verse 2:
They push these regulations, say it’s for our own good,
But every new restriction is a chain around our livelihood.
They tell us how to farm, like they’ve ever felt the rain,
Or watched a year’s worth of work just wash down the drain.
They say trade deals will save us, but they’re blind to what we know,
Stick that in the ground, see if it goes where nothing grows.
Chorus:
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows,
While the bankers count their money and the big guys run the shows.
They don’t know the cost of blood, sweat, and dirt,
While we break our backs just to see the crops make.
They’re makin’ all the rules, but they ain’t pullin’ plows,
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows somehow.
Bridge:
We’re tired of empty promises, tired of the games,
It’s more than just our fields, it’s our family name.
They keep talkin’ progress while we watch it fall apart,
But you can’t feed a nation if you tear out the farmer’s heart.
Chorus:
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows,
While the bankers count their money and the big guys run the shows.
They don’t know the cost of blood, sweat, and dirt,
While we break our backs just to see the crops make.
They’re makin’ all the rules, but they ain’t pullin’ plows,
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows somehow.
Outro:
So take your fancy talk, and your high-class schemes,
Out here in the country, we’re runnin’ on dreams.
But when the soil is thin, and the rains don’t show,
Stick that in the ground, see if it grows.
Stick That in the Ground and See If It Grows
By Alan Nafzger
They say we’re just complainers, need to sit down and hush,
But they ain’t in these fields where life’s a daily rush.
From the city, they don’t see the sweat we pour,
The lights shine bright, while our boots hit the floor.
They talk of progress, the future in their hands,
But stick that in the ground, and see if it stands.
Stick that in the ground, see if it’ll sprout,
While bankers count money, and big men shout.
They don’t know the price of dirt and grit,
While we break our backs, and still we commit.
They write all the rules, but they ain’t pulled a plow,
Stick that in the ground—will it grow somehow?
They push their rules, say it’s for our own good,
But they ain’t felt the rain like we’ve understood.
They’ve never watched a year’s work drown in the flood,
Or seen their hands stained with soil and blood.
They talk of deals, shake hands with glee,
But stick that in the ground—will it grow like a tree?
We’re tired of promises, tired of the games,
Tired of them forgetting our family names.
They talk of progress as we fall apart,
But they can’t feed a nation if they tear out the heart.
So stick that in the ground, and see if it thrives,
While we pray for rain to keep us alive.
It’s more than just fields, more than just land,
It’s a lifetime of work in a calloused hand.
Take your plans and schemes, your high-priced show,
Stick that in the ground—let’s see if it’ll grow.
