Story Behind The Song
The story of a rural Sand Mountain farming family . Strong matriarch endure's the hardships of childbirth and hard work. Two sons and an uncle are sent to World War 2 leaving them short handed and distraught. Family history of songwriter Georgianna George Pollock .
Song Description
Painful description of a rural Sand Mountain farming family. Driving folk-bluegrass music featuring a dobro solo and great harmony vocals.
| Song Length |
4:56 |
Genre |
Folk - Bluegrass, Country - Bluegrass |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant |
Subject |
Life, Life |
| Similar Artists |
Indigo Girls, Cowboy Junkies |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1940 - 1949 |
| |
Lyrics
Bucket of boiling water and a knife
and the help of the neighbor farmer's wife
in the wee small hours she gives life
with the help of the neighbor farmer's wife
He beats her down and he beats her down
she's tough as nails never makes a sound
she's makin' butter she's makin' bread
she's makin' sure her family gets fed
CHORUS
Hoein' cotton and pickin' corn
waitin for the baby to come
hoein' cotton and pickin' corn
waitin for the baby to come
4 AM it's dark and cold
she starts a fire from yesterday's coals
her youngest brother and her two oldest boys
left after harvest to enlist in the war
work heals the mind, work is good for the soul
will her boys come home and grow old?
she's makin' a quilt she's gatherin' eggs
she's wonderin' if her letters have been read
CHORUS
Harness the mule so he can cut the land
sowin' seed in the Sand Mountain sand
dirt's in their blood, dirt's on their hands
the hard life of a woman and a man
CHORUS