If You Think Your American Farm Is Untenable
Performed by Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
If You Think Your American Farm Is Untenable – Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1:
If you think your American farm’s a mess,
With busted tractors and the IRS,
You think the crops are cursed, and the rain won’t fall,
Well, buddy, that ain’t the worst of it all.
Take a look around, from sea to shining sea,
But let me tell you ‘bout the world, and you’ll agree:
Farming ain’t for the faint of heart,
Across the globe, it’s just the start.
Chorus:
If you think your American farm’s untenable,
Try Africa, where the rain is undependable,
Or Europe, with red tape ten miles long,
Australia’s got droughts that would make you strong.
And over in Asia, they’re knee-deep in rice,
So next time you’re cursing, you might think twice.
If you think your American farm is hell,
Try farming somewhere else, it’s just as well.
Verse 2:
In Africa, you’re prayin’ for the clouds to show,
But when they don’t, you’re stuck with dust and woe.
The cows are thirsty, the crops are bone-dry,
And then the locusts roll in from the sky.
You got problems with your John Deere today?
At least your cows aren’t stolen and carted away!
Chorus:
If you think your American farm’s untenable,
Try Africa, where the rain is undependable,
Or Europe, where the rules are a bureaucrat’s dream,
Australia’s wildfires will make you wanna scream.
And over in Asia, it’s all about the rice,
So next time you complain, take my advice.
If you think your American farm’s in a bind,
Try farming around the world and change your mind.
Bridge:
Oh, the grass ain’t greener on the other side,
It’s brown and dusty, and it’s just as wide.
From the Outback to the savannah plain,
Farming’s just a different kind of pain.
Chorus:
If you think your American farm’s untenable,
Try Africa, where the rain is undependable,
Or Europe, where the rules are a farmer’s plight,
Australia’s kangaroos steal your crops at night.
And over in Asia, you’re plagued by pests,
So count your blessings, this land’s the best.
If you think your American farm’s a drag,
Try farming elsewhere, pack a bigger bag.
Outro:
So when you’re cursing that American soil,
Remember farmers worldwide, working just as loyal.
From Africa’s dust to Australia’s flames,
It’s all the same game, just different names.
If you think your American farm isn’t blessed,
Try farming the world—then you’ll know where is best!
If You Think Your American Farm Is Untenable
By Alan Nafzger (2022)
You grumble and moan about your broken-down gear,
The IRS hovers, and the rain won’t appear.
You think you’ve been cursed, the land won’t comply,
But friend, your troubles aren’t the worst, I won’t lie.
From Africa’s dust to Europe’s red tape,
Farming’s a battle, no easy escape.
In Africa’s sun, they pray for a cloud,
While fields turn to dust, no rain’s allowed.
Cows go thirsty, crops wither and fade,
And then come the locusts, turning hope to shade.
You fight with your tractor, but trust me, dear friend,
In some places, the struggles never seem to end.
In Europe, they wait on a government stamp,
Every carrot approved, every crop at a clamp.
The rules stretch far, the paperwork grows,
And farmers are buried in red tape woes.
Meanwhile, Australia’s fires scorch the plains,
With droughts so harsh, they leave only remains.
Asia’s fields flood when the monsoons arrive,
The rice is knee-deep, and they fight to survive.
It’s hard everywhere, in every land,
Farming’s a struggle, no matter the hand.
So when you curse your American soil,
Remember the farmers worldwide who toil.
It’s not just here that the skies are dry,
It’s the same across oceans, beneath every sky.
Farming’s a battle, no matter the place,
But through it all, we keep up the pace.
