Harvest Home
Big Country Lyrics
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Who broke the ploughman's bread?
Who heard the winter calling?
Who wore the tailor's thread?
How many sheaves were counted?
How did the carriage shine?
How many thoughts were doubted?
Just as you sow you shall reap
Who led the mayday feasting?
Who saw the harvest home?
Who left the future wasting?
Who watched the families go?
See where the bowls are empty
See where the arms reach
See where the butter melted
See where the altars creak
Where were the days of promise?
Where were the gifts divine?
Where were the heroes honest?
Where was the summer wine?
Watch how the waves must shatter
Watch how the shore divides
Watch how the nets will tatter
Watch Canute and his bride
The lyrics to Big Country's song Harvest Home present a series of thought-provoking questions that prompt the listener to think critically about the harsh realities of rural life in times past. The song asks who saw the fences falling and who broke the ploughman's bread, which could suggest that the singer is reflecting on societal changes that have affected rural life. The next lines ask who heard the winter calling and who wore the tailor's thread, which could represent the struggles of farmers, particularly in harsh winters, and the work of skilled craftsmen.
The song goes on to ask how many sheaves were counted and how did the carriage shine, possibly referencing the importance of harvest and the wealth and status that were associated with it. The lyrics continue to pose thought-provoking questions such as how many thoughts were doubted and how did the landlord dine. The repeated line "Just as you sow you shall reap" serves to reinforce the idea that the hardships faced by farmers were often the result of their own actions, highlighting the cyclical nature of agrarian life. The final lines of the song reference the sea and the shore, and Canute and his bride, which could be interpreted as a comment on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Who saw the fences falling?
Who witnessed the breakdown of boundaries?
Who broke the ploughman's bread?
Who was responsible for feeding the workers?
Who heard the winter calling?
Who recognized the coming of hard times?
Who wore the tailor's thread?
Who dressed up to hide their poverty?
How many sheaves were counted?
How much work and effort went into the harvest?
How did the carriage shine?
What luxury goods did the landowners enjoy?
How many thoughts were doubted?
How much uncertainty plagued the minds of the poor?
How did the landlord dine?
What privileges did the wealthy landlords have?
Just as you sow you shall reap
Your actions will have consequences.
Who led the mayday feasting?
Who organized and participated in the celebration of spring?
Who saw the harvest home?
Who witnessed the completion of a season's hard work?
Who left the future wasting?
Who neglected investing in the future?
Who watched the families go?
Who saw people leave due to lack of opportunity?
See where the bowls are empty
Notice the scarcity of food.
See where the arms reach
Recognize the desperation and need for help.
See where the butter melted
Observe the loss of valuable resources.
See where the altars creak
Witness the struggle and hardship of religious communities.
Where were the days of promise?
What happened to the hopes of a better future?
Where were the gifts divine?
What happened to the blessings and favors of fate?
Where were the heroes honest?
What happened to the virtuous and noble people?
Where was the summer wine?
What happened to the pleasures of life?
Watch how the waves must shatter
Observe the breaking of natural forces against the vulnerable shore.
Watch how the shore divides
Notice how land and sea are separate and opposed.
Watch how the nets will tatter
See how the hard work of fishermen can be easily destroyed.
Watch Canute and his bride
Witness the futility of trying to control the uncontrollable.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STUART ADAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Who saw the fences falling
Who broke the ploughman’s bread 🍞
Who heard the winter calling
Who wore the tailors thread 🧵
How many sheaves were counted
How did the carriage shine
How many thoughts were doubted
How did the landlord dine
Just as you sow you shall reap
Who led the mayday feasting
Who saw the harvest home 🏡
Who left the future wasting
Who watched the families go
See where the bowls are empty
See where the arms reach
See where the butter melted
See where the altars creak
Where were the days of promise
Where were the gifts divine
Where were the heroes honest
Where was the summer wine 🍷
Watch how the waves must shatter
Watch how the shore divides
Watch how the nets will tatter
Watch Canute and his bride 👰♀️
RobbHahn
Who saw the fences falling
Who broke the ploughman’s bread
Who heard the winter calling
Who wore the tailors thread
How many sheaves were counted
How did the carriage shine
How many thoughts were doubted
How did the landlord dine
Just as you sow you shall reap
Just as you sow you shall reap
Who lead the Mayday feasting
Who saw the harvest home
Who left the future wasting
Who watched the families go
See where the bowls are empty
See where the arms reach
See where the butter melted
See where the altars creak
Just as you sow you shall reap
Just as you sow you shall reap
In harvest home
Where were the days of promise
Where were the gifts divine
Where were the heroes honest
Where was the summer wine
Watch how the waves must shatter
Watch how the shore divides
Watch how the nets will tatter
Watch Canute and his bride
Just as you sow you shall reap
Just as you sow you shall reap
In harvest home...
In harvest home...
Sammy Sue
greatest live band of all time If you were lucky enough to see them you know
Frank Stared
At times their work reached the sublime. I cannot imagine what kind of powerful influences lay behind that fertile soil that nurtured the band.
David Norris
Many times 👍
Anthony Houghton
Totally agree.
Tony Williamson
The Best comment off all time...END OFF 100%
Joe Bloggs
Great band , the late great mr adamson , worked one of their shows at the barrowlands way back when , but for sheer excellence no one could hold a candle to canadian trio RUSH , a whole other level these guys were at . Seen just about everyone during that era , U2 , smiths , joe satriani , robert cray ,
It bites ( also superb ) crowdwed house . Memories . 😊😊😊
Marshall McInnis
Not only are the guys sickly talented, they dance while playing. Show me someone today with Stuart’s skill and passion.... Big Country: such powerful and energizing music, a comet streaking across the Rock music skyline. So appreciative of the time and body of work that Stuart, Tony, and the boys gave us. This is what rock music is supposed to sound like!
Steven Penner
No one has it anymore. Well maybe...but this is fantastic band
Frank Stared
Not only that, they wrote about social justice at time when conservatism was really beginning to take root. Adamson always spoke for the voiceless.
He is a visionary of the highest order (beyond a mere artist who sells out, he wrote about equity in 1980 and beyond), has never been equaled and will never be equaled
John Collins
Fellow Scots Biffy Clyro are the closest band in spirit to Big Country you can enjoy in concert in these times.