Dé Danann were first to find her - see her web site www.mauraoconnell.com for more information.
Trouble in the Fields
Maura O'Connell Lyrics
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When the bankers swarm like locusts they're turning away our yields
Our dreams roll by our silo, silver in the rain
And leave our pockets full of nothing and our dreams in the golden grain
Have you sees the folks in line downtown at the station?
They're all buying their tickets out and they're talking a great depression
Our parents had their hard times fifty years ago
And all this trouble in our fields
If this rain can fall, these wounds can heal
They'll never take our native soil
If we sell that new John Deere
Then we'll work these farm with sweat and tears
You'll be the mule, I'll be the plow
Come harvest time, we'll work it out
There's still a lot of love
Here in these troubled fields
There's a book up on the shelf about the dust bowl days
There's a little bit of you and a little bit of me in the photos in every page
Now our children live in the city and they rest upon our shoulders
They never want the rain to fall or the weather to get colder
And all this trouble in our fields
If this rain can fall these wounds can heal
They'll never take our native soil, no
If we sell that new John Deere
Then we'll work these farm with sweat and tears
You'll be the mule, I'll be the plow
Come harvest time, we'll work it out
There's still a lot of love
Here in these troubled fields
You'll be the mule, I'll be the plow
Come harvest time, we'll work it out
There's still a lot of love
Here in these troubled fields
Maura O'Connell's "Trouble in the Fields" is a commentary on the difficulties farmers experience in trying to make a living. The opening lines express an awareness of the problems that farmers face. The bankers are described as locusts, consuming everything that the farmers work so hard to grow. Despite their hard work, those in rural areas struggle to make ends meet. The rain that falls on their crops is meant to be a symbol of hope, but it is often not enough to heal the wounds inflicted by the problems they face.
The song then takes a look at the history of the struggles faced by farmers, with references to both the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The lives of these people are portrayed as continuously difficult, with new generations living through poverty and hardship. The song closes on a hopeful note, with the realization that "there's still a lot of love" left in the troubled fields, and a determination to keep working hard in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Trouble in the Fields" is a powerful commentary on the difficulties faced by farmers, and a call to remember the importance of hard work, perseverance, and love in the face of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I know that we've got trouble in the fields
I am aware that our agricultural land is facing difficult conditions.
When the bankers swarm like locusts they're turning away our yields
Financial institutions are negatively affecting our crop production.
Our dreams roll by our silo, silver in the rain
Our aspirations pass us by as we struggle to bring in any income.
And leave our pockets full of nothing and our dreams in the golden grain
Our efforts result in no profit and our goals remain unfulfilled.
Have you sees the folks in line downtown at the station?
Do you see the people waiting anxiously to leave the rural areas?
They're all buying their tickets out and they're talking a great depression
They are leaving and fearing an impending economic crisis.
Our parents had their hard times fifty years ago
Our predecessors faced similar adversities some decades earlier.
When they stood out in these empty fields in dust as deep as snow
They endured extreme weather conditions and a barren landscape.
And all this trouble in our fields
The difficulties plaguing our agriculture.
If this rain can fall, these wounds can heal
If circumstances improve, we can overcome our struggles.
They'll never take our native soil
We will not be forced to relinquish our farming land.
If we sell that new John Deere
If we give up and resort to selling expensive farming equipment.
Then we'll work these farm with sweat and tears
We will persevere and put in maximum effort to keep our farm running.
You'll be the mule, I'll be the plow
We will work together with dedicated roles.
Come harvest time, we'll work it out
We will manage to get through the harvesting season regardless.
There's still a lot of love here in these troubled fields
Despite the hardships, we remain emotionally invested and connected to our land.
There's a book up on the shelf about the dust bowl days
We have literature reminding us of the past farming crises.
There's a little bit of you and a little bit of me in the photos in every page
Our predecessors left behind a legacy that we are part of and can learn from.
Now our children live in the city and they rest upon our shoulders
Our offspring have moved away and we feel responsible for their well-being.
They never want the rain to fall or the weather to get colder
They would rather have comfortable living conditions than a thriving agricultural industry.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NANCI GRIFFITH, RICK WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
B.9176
~lyrics~
Baby I know that we've got trouble in the fields
When the bankers swarm like locust out there turning away our yield
The trains roll by our silos, silver in the rain
They leave our pockets full of nothing
But our dreams and the golden grain
Have you seen the folks in line downtown at the station
They're all buying their ticket out and talking the great depression
Our parents had their hard times fifty years ago
When they stood out in these empty fields in dust as deep as snow
And all this trouble in our fields
If this rain can fall, these wounds can heal
They'll never take our native soil
But if we sell that new John Deere
And then we'll work these farm with sweat and tears
You'll be the mule I'll be the plough
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lot of love, here in these troubled fields
There's a book up on the shelf about the dust bowl days
And there's a little bit of you and a little bit of me
In the photos on every page
Now our children live in the city and they rest upon our shoulders
They never want the rain to fall or the weather to get colder
And all this trouble in our fields
If this rain can fall, these wounds can heal
They'll never take our native soil
But if we sell that new John Deere
And then we'll work this farm with sweat and tears
You'll be the mule I'll be the plough
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lot of love, here in these troubled fields
You'll be the mule I'll be the plough
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lot of love, here in these troubled fields
Siobhan Bruton
Such a beautiful song,Maura’s stunning voice &Nanci’s beautiful harmony,RIP Nanci,a stunning artist
E Miller
Agree, both exceptional artists/vocalists. The kind you don't forget! And Jerry Douglas on dobro ain't exactly chopped liver!
Heidi
Unbelievable. Two of my favorite songbirds. RIP Nanci. What an artist. Such sensitive and lovely songwriting! I love how Nanci humbly allows Maura to take the lead on the vocals, appearing to thoroughly enjoy the justice she offers this masterpiece. And the two together--wow, those harmonies. I can't stop listening.
Alan MacDonald
They are both wonderful. Nanci ‘allowed’ Maura to lead: it’s Maura’s song. Nonetheless a very lovely duet. Both fabulous.
rjcary
@Alan MacDonald The song was written by Nanci.
Noel Egan
So true. Beautiful nature.
Martin Couch
"it's Maura's song" 😆
All these armchair experts who post their foolishness for everyone to see are tiring.
Heidi
@rjcary Correction: It was written by Naci Griffith and Rick West
Nalini Lasiewicz
This was recorded in 1998. I read today that Nanci survived bouts with breast cancer in 1996 and thyroid cancer in 1998. What a strong spirit. Rest in Peace.
Gary Ciesla
We lost a great one today! Nanci Griffith was a great songwriter. Maura O'Connell did a masterful job on this song, with Nanci singing harmony.