Joe Jencks

The Tates family farm is near Moline, IL.  I sang at the wedding of my college buddy Jay Tates, and got to talk with his father about the complexities of being a farmer in modern times.  These are his father's words, nearly verbatim.  I just made them rhyme.

It started in the old country my ancestors they came
To the land of liberty to free themselves from shame
160 acres, a booming farm back then
They ploughed the land with horse and hand
And made the country strong

Chorus
Thank God for the rain
It makes the dry land grow
Some folks call it a pain
But Lord, that just ain't so
Well I've seen wonders happen
From a thunderclap or two
How it works I'll never understand
But thank God for the rain

Now 1600 acres my brother and I sow
Corn and beans we rotate, try to make the soil grow
Now tractors, planters, combines
Do the work of sixty men
My folks would call me lazy,
But I work just as hard as they did then

Thank God for the rain
It makes the dry land grow
Some folks call it a pain
But Lord, that just ain't so
Well I've seen wonders happen
From a thunderclap or two
How it works I'll never understand
But thank God for the rain

Well I've worked so hard these last few years
But it's just been too dry
It's sad to see my father's dream just barely gets me by
But if I live a good life the Lord will bless this seed
Come through with the sun and rain
And give us what we need

Thank God for the rain
It makes the dry land grow
Some folks call it a pain
But Lord, that just ain't so
Well I've seen wonders happen
From a thunderclap or two
How it works I'll never understand
But thank God for the rain

© 1993, 2003 Joe Jencks