THE FARMER ’ S FREED
I believe a man ’ s greatest possession is his dignity
- Frank Mann
And that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming . I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person ’ s character . I believe that farmers , despite its hardships and disappointments Is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on earth . I believe my children are learning values that will last A lifetime and can be earned no other way . I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much About birth , growth and maturity in such a variety of ways . I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free : The splendor of a sunrise , the rapture of wide open spaces And the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring . I believe true happiness comes in watching your crops ripen in the field , Your children grow tall in the sun and your whole family Feels the pride that springs from their shared experience . I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it , An honor that does not come to all men . I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done For my fellow man and by this standard I fear no judgment . I believe when a man grows old and slums up his days , He should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he has lived . I believe in farming because it makes all this possible .
COMRADES - Amelia Barr , ( 1831-1919 )
There ’ s a blacksmith works not far away , He is brawny and strong and tall ; He ’ s at his forge when the shadows lift , And he ’ s there till the shadows fall . Just when I leave the land of dreams , I can hear his hammer bang , As he beats the red hot iron bar , With a cling , clang , clang ; cling , clang . His smithy is dirty and dark enough , And he is dirty and glum ; When a man is beating iron bars , What can he be but dumb ? And there you may find him hard at work If the weather be hot or cold ; He says , “ There ’ s some satisfaction , Ma ’ am , In beating iron to gold .” Now , I am a mite of womankind , I am neither tall nor strong ; I can only read , and dream , and think , And put my thought into song . But I smile at the mighty giant Beating his iron so bold ; And think of a slender little pen Turning my thought into gold . I sit in my room so bright and warm , And my tiny tool I lift , “ The battle is not unto the strong , Nor the race unto the swift .” But the hammer shall never cease to beat , And the song shall never fail , Be busy , O pen ! And blacksmith brave , Beat rivet , and shoe , and nail . The world has need of us both I trow : The giant so strong and tall And the woman who only has a thought They are comrades after all . So , brother , be busy , I would hear
May - 2022
Thy hammering all day long ; The world is glad for the anvil ’ s ring , And glad for the Singer ’ s song .
THE FARMER
The king may rule over land and sea , The lord may live right royalty , The soldier ride in pomp and pride , The sailor roams over ocean wide ; But this or that , whatever befalls , The farmer he must feed them all .
The writer thinks , the poet sings , The craftsmen fashion wondrous things , The doctor heals , the lawyer pleads , The miner follows the precious leads ; But this or that , whatever befalls , The farmer he must feed them all .
The merchant he may buy and sell , The teacher does his duty well ; But men may toil through busy days , Or men may stroll through pleasant ways ; From king to beggar , whatever befall , The farmer he must feed them all .
The farmer ’ s trade is one of worth ; He is partner with the sky and earth , He is partner with the sun and rain , And no man loses for his gain ; And men may rise , or men may fall , But the farmer he must feed them all .
God bless the man who sows the wheat , Who finds us milk and fruit and meat ; May his purse be heavy , his heart be light , His cattle and corn and all go right ; God bless the seeds his hands let fall , For the farmer he must feed us all . �
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