Central Valley

W. Spagnardi © 2007

The land was tractored out, we prayed to god for rain Dust blew my broken fambly across the southern plains Packed that ole jalopy, in early ‘35 Limped down America’s Main Street, wiping tears from our eyes Wanderers through the dessert, pilgrims through the hills We reached that Central Valley, it gave our souls a chill Kids we’re getting hungry, had no place to live Folks there couldn’t help us, for they had nothin’ to give I’ve been bendin’ and a-bendin’ but tonight I’m-a-gonna break I’ll fill myself with whiskey and dull my sperit’s ache Torch that Central Valley and set the night ablaze And take down any lawmen that dare stand in my way Settled in a ditchbank camp, as winter slowly passed Then a man give me a flyer advertisin’ work at last Bustin’ my back, pickin’ cotton for my pay But a man can’t feed his fambly on just two bucks a day Chorus Folks they call me Okie, though I’m from Arkansas Since I got to Calaforny, I’ve been bullied by the law They’ll label you Red if you try to organize Or whack you with a jackhandle right between the eyes Chorus

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