Rain On The Scarecrow

John Cougar Mellencamp



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 weren't enough to pay the loans

Couldn't buy the seed 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 calling it your job ol' hoss sure don't make it right

But 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 man's dignity he can't work his fields and cows

There'll be blood on the scarecrow Blood on the plow

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 and my neighbors and my name

And some nights I feel like dyin' 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

Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow

Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow

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

Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow

Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow