'The Monsanto Years' is the thirty-sixth studio album by Neil Young, released on June 29, 2015 on Reprise Records. A concept album criticizing agribusiness giant Monsanto, the album is a collaboration with Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah, alongside Lukas' bandmates in Promise of the Real.
Young had a long-time friendship Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah and jammed with Lukas' bandmates in Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real after 2014's Farm Aid. Recording for this album began the following January. Young announced that he was recording an album with the band —including non-member Micah— at the converted movie theater Teatro in Oxnard, California, the site where Willie Nelson's Teatro album was recorded. Young sent a CD to his collaborators with demos to allow them to learn some of the new songs before arriving to perform together on the new compositions.
The album was produced by both Young and John Hanlon, and is accompanied by a film documenting the recording process.
The recording was filmed by Don Hannah alongside live rehearsals in April 2015 for a film also entitled 'The Monsanto Years'.
Young debuted a music video for "Wolf Moon" on June 10, 2015.
Mother Earth
Neil Young Promise of the Real Lyrics
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With your fields of green
Once more laid down by the hungry hand
How long can you give and not receive
And feed this world ruled by greed
And feed this world ruled by greed.
Oh, ball of fire
Your healing light, your parade of days
Are they betrayed by the men of power
Who hold this world in their changing hands
They hold the world in their changing hands.
Oh, freedom land
Can you let this go
Down to the streets where the numbers grow
Respect Mother Earth and her giving ways
Or trade away our children's days
Or trade away our children's days.
Respect Mother Earth and her giving ways
Or trade away our children's days.
The lyrics of Neil Young's song "Earth" are a poignant reflection on the state of our planet and the way human greed has destroyed the natural world. The song addresses Mother Earth, the ball of fire in the sky, and the freedom land, and laments their exploitation and disregard. Young asks how long Mother Earth can continue to give without receiving anything in return, and expresses concern for the future of our children in a world ruled by greed.
The first stanza is a call for us to respect the natural world and to recognize the damage that human actions have caused. The reference to the fields of green being "laid down by the hungry hand" speaks to the destruction of forests and natural habitats. Young is asking how much longer the earth can continue to provide for us without anything in return, and highlights the fact that the world is currently ruled by greed rather than care and compassion.
The second stanza addresses the sun, or the "ball of fire" in the sky, and questions whether its "healing light" is betrayed by the powerful men who hold our planet in their hands. This could be interpreted as a reference to the destruction of the ozone layer and the increase in greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Young seems to be suggesting that the actions of those in power are not aligned with the healing power of the sun and its life-giving qualities.
The final stanza is a plea for us to take notice of the damage being done to the environment and to work to protect our planet for future generations. Young calls on us to "respect Mother Earth and her giving ways" and to not "trade away our children's days". The message is clear - we need to take action now to protect the earth before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Mother Earth,
Addressing the earth as a mother with sentimental respect.
With your fields of green
Referring to the earth's vegetation and its abundance.
Once more laid down by the hungry hand
Describing how human activity is the cause of environmental devastation.
How long can you give and not receive
Questioning the sustainability of the earth's resources given the lack of responsible consumption.
And feed this world ruled by greed
Expressing how the world is governed by avaricious individuals who exploit natural resources for their own gain.
Oh, ball of fire
Addressing the sun with poetic flair.
In the summer sky
Indicating the warmth of the season.
Your healing light, your parade of days
Acknowledging the benefits of sunshine, and its positive influence on weather patterns.
Are they betrayed by the men of power
Suggesting that those in power abuse their position for their own purposes at the cost of the environment.
Who hold this world in their changing hands
Highlighting the role played by leaders in shaping the world's destiny.
Oh, freedom land
Addressing the United States - which is frequently referred to as 'the land of the free' - as a way of invoking ideals of freedom and prosperity.
Can you let this go
Questioning the government's willingness to put environmental concerns ahead of economic growth.
Down to the streets where the numbers grow
Referring to people in highly populated areas where environmental concerns are more pressing.
Respect Mother Earth and her giving ways
Encouraging respect for nature and her resources.
Or trade away our children's days
Suggesting that neglecting the environment is a trade for the future generations.
Respect Mother Earth and her giving ways
Encouraging respect for nature and her resources.
Or trade away our children's days.
Suggesting that neglecting the environment is a trade for the future generations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, ZENA MUSIC
Written by: ERIC JUSTIN KAZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind