Tobacco Road
The Barefoot Movement Lyrics
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Driving by I wonder how
It came to be so
Barron fields, wasted land
Soil turned to sand
Where is all that used to grow?
Where is all that grows?
In the calm before the storm
On the old tobacco road
Times are changing but it holds true
You gotta reap what you sow
See what lies in front of you
And It's a long row to hoe
Here you are and here we stand
Looking out across the land
Barefooted, hand in hand
I wanna be young again
Feel the leaves brush against my skin
As I walk down each row
The dark of night will settle
And oh I can barely see
All the stars that light my way and see me safely home
I feel I'm starin right at me
Times are changing but it holds true
You gotta reap what you sow
See what lies in front of you
And It's a long row to hoe
Here you are and here we stand
Looking out across the land
Barefooted, hand in hand
Honest living, Honest men
They got their family and their friends
And that's all their working for
'Cause there's a heart beating still
In the earth here, in the will
Of every soul that calls this home
I call it home
Sun up to sun down
You put the faith in the ground
On the old tobacco road
Times are changing but it holds true
You gotta reap what you sow
See what lies in front of you
And It's a long row to hoe
Here you are and here we stand
Looking out across the land
Barefooted, hand in hand
The Barefoot Movement's song, "Tobacco Road," is a reflective piece on the changes that have taken place on a once-fertile farmland. The lyrics describe the current state of the land, with a broken down plow and barron fields where nothing seems to grow. The singer laments the loss of what used to be and expresses a desire to go back to a time when he was younger and the land was thriving.
Despite the changes, the lyrics express a feeling of calm and peace in the old tobacco road. The song emphasizes the importance of hard work and reaping what you sow, with a reminder that it's a long road to hoe. The singer acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about the future and encourages others to face the reality of what lies in front of them.
At its core, "Tobacco Road" is a tribute to the farmers who work the land day in and day out, living an honest life with family and friends as their main focus. The song celebrates the indomitable spirit of those who call this land home and their deep connection to the earth and all that it provides.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken down rusty plow
The plow is old and dilapidated
Driving by I wonder how
Reflecting on the state of the plow, it makes the singer think about the struggles of those who use it for their livelihood
It came to be so
The singer is pondering how the plow and the land have deteriorated over time
Barron fields, wasted land
The land is barren and unproductive
Soil turned to sand
The land has been overused so much that the soil has become useless
Where is all that used to grow?
The singer is questioning where all the crops that used to flourish have gone
Where is all that grows?
The singer is asking where the fertility and abundance of the land have gone
There's a peace you'd never know
There is an indescribable sense of calm in the midst of chaos
In the calm before the storm
The calmness is only temporary, and it is a prelude to an impending disaster
On the old tobacco road
The road is a symbol of the artist's connection to the land and its history
Times are changing but it holds true
Despite the changes in society, the cycle of planting and harvesting remains constant
You gotta reap what you sow
You will get the results of your actions
See what lies in front of you
Be aware of the current state of things
And It's a long row to hoe
It is a difficult path to follow
Here you are and here we stand
The singer and their companions are in this together
Looking out across the land
The artist is surveying the territory
Barefooted, hand in hand
The artist and their companions are unified in their work
Honest living, Honest men
The farmers work hard and take pride in their work
They got their family and their friends
The farmers live a simple life surrounded by loved ones
And that's all their working for
They are motivated by the simple pleasures of life
'Cause there's a heart beating still
Despite the hardships, the land retains its vitality
In the earth here, in the will
The people who tend the land are united in their determination to make it fruitful again
Of every soul that calls this home
The land is home to those who work it
I call it home
The artist feels a deep sense of attachment to the land
Sun up to sun down
The farmers work tirelessly from dawn to dusk
You put the faith in the ground
The farmers trust in their labor and the land
On the old tobacco road
The road is a reminder of the farmer's history and connection to the land
Contributed by Sophia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
cctn2012
good to see young talent keeping root music alive and full of vibe! nice song and well done! thanks for posting these videos.
Wayne Renardson
You folks are a fine acoustic band. Thank you for keeping the music alive.
Wayne R.
Brenda Zuschin
I am going to their concert this week. Thanks for posting videos. Now I know I'll love the concert!!
loyal American
you guys are great!... spreading you around my friends...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Ross Langley
Great music!
David Schipper
This song inspired the blog post in Dave's Basement Tracks "Tobacco Road" Thanks for the video being out there, I used it.
Mc Arthur
I found this on Dave's Basement Tracks.
Walter Cesare Delucca
..... barefoot and hand in hand
Wayne Renardson
I saw one video with your former guitar player. It is clear why he was replaced. Believe your current guitarist is from Nashville. A great fit.
Wayne R
samthedandiedinmont
Thanks--