The band has released five CDs including "Some People Change" which was released in 2006.
Troy Gentry died on September 8th in a helicopter crash near a New Jersey airport, thus disbanding the duo. He was 50.
Daddy Won't Sell The Farm
Montgomery Gentry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Daddy gets calls from the mini-malls
When they're downwind from his hogs
When his tractor backs up traffic, the reception ain't too warm
The city's growing around him, but Daddy won't sell the farm
You can't roll a rock, up a hill that steep
You can't pull roots when they run that deep
Daddy won't sell the farm
He worked and slaved in '68, he bought these fields and trees
He raised his corn and a big red barn and a healthy family
He learned to love the woodlands, he can't stand to do them harm
There's concrete all around him, but Daddy won't sell the farm
You can't roll a rock, up a hill that steep
You can't pull roots when they run that deep
He's gonna live and die, in the eye of an urban storm
Daddy won't sell the farm
One day he's gonna leave it all to me
And I'll start my own branch of the family tree
They'll get the message written on the roof of the barn
Daddy won't sell the farm
You can't roll a rock, up a hill that steep
You can't pull roots when they run that deep
He's gonna live and die, in the eye of an urban storm
Daddy won't sell the farm
We're gonna live and die, in the eye of an urban storm
Daddy won't sell the farm
Oh you know a country boy can survive
In "Daddy Won't Sell The Farm," Montgomery Gentry tells the story of a hardworking farmer who has built his life and livelihood on his land. As the city grows around him, the farmer is faced with constant pressure to sell his land for development, but he steadfastly refuses. His cows occasionally escape and wander through nearby parking lots, his hogs leave a lingering odor that draws complaints, and his old tractor can cause traffic backups on busy roads. Despite these inconveniences, the farmer remains committed to his land and his values, choosing to live and die as a country boy rather than sell out for a quick profit.
The chorus of the song drives home the central message, repeating the lines "You can't roll a rock, up a hill that steep / You can't pull roots when they run that deep / He's gonna live and die, in the eye of an urban storm / Daddy won't sell the farm." The farm represents not just a business, but a way of life and a connection to the land that is increasingly rare as urbanization spreads. The singer of the song knows that one day the farm will belong to him, and he will continue his father's legacy of fighting to preserve the family's heritage and the land they call home.
Line by Line Meaning
His cows get loose and run right through the fast food parking lots
Daddy's cows escape and cause havoc by intruding on busy fast food restaurants
And Daddy gets calls from the mini-malls
He receives numerous complaints from nearby shops about his pesky cows
When they're downwind from his hogs
Foul smells from his farm animals make it unpleasant for everyone in the vicinity to live nearby
When his tractor backs up traffic, the reception ain't too warm
People get frustrated when his tractor causes traffic and delays their commutes
The city's growing around him, but Daddy won't sell the farm
Despite urbanization and industrialization, Dad remains determined to hold onto his beloved farmland
You can't roll a rock, up a hill that steep
It's not easy to sell something as dear and intrinsic as land, no matter how high the price is
You can't pull roots when they run that deep
The family's deep attachment to the farm makes it hard to let go and relocate to a new place
He's gonna live and die, in the eye of an urban storm
He accepts the challenges of living amidst modernization and its inconveniences
He worked and slaved in '68, he bought these fields and trees
Daddy put in a lot of hard work and effort to purchase the land and its crops
He raised his corn and a big red barn and a healthy family
Aside from growing crops, he built a home for his family which became the cornerstone of their lives
He learned to love the woodlands, he can't stand to do them harm
His appreciation and respect for nature makes it hard for him to see the landscape change through urbanization and development
One day he's gonna leave it all to me
The farm will be passed down to the next generation, for his children to carry on the legacy and maintain its integrity
And I'll start my own branch of the family tree
His children will continue to cultivate the land and plant new seeds for their own offspring to grow
They'll get the message written on the roof of the barn
The children will understand the emotional significance of the farm and the family's long-standing connection with it
We're gonna live and die, in the eye of an urban storm
The family remains committed to living and working on the farmland, even amidst their bustling surroundings
Daddy won't sell the farm
The song's title and chorus, echoing the family's unwavering resilience in holding onto their cherished piece of land
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBIN BRANDA, STEVE FOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bryanharris3589
If you ate today, thank a farmer, if you did it in peace, thank a soldier.
@suzylee6053
Amen god bless everybody
@thomasmiller6266
If you can find a reason to go on thank god,if you know where the grave yard is thank your grand dad,if your grand mother wants a loaf of bread thank your mother and if your.......v.....C........blame your U....
@jeffwatson9743
Very good idea
@davestewart77
6 years active duty, 01-07. USAF - Security Forces .
@joegibbskins
But if you never served and are a healthy man of fighting age, please stop thanking soldiers. It’s embarrassing as hell you noncontributing cowards
@dirigoelectric
These guys were way, way better than Nashville ever gave them credit for. Fantastic.
@bobs5123
Fact
@brucedavenport452
I only hope and pray that Troy is in heaven with Jesus Christ and God singing those great country music songs for the Angels
@mattscotting9448
“You can’t pull roots when they run that deep”