Natalie Merchant - Down on Penny's farm lyrics

Come here ladies and gentleman

Listen to my song

Play it to you right

But you may think it wrong

May make you mad

But I mean no harm

It's just about the renters

On Penny's farm

It's a hard time in the country

Down on Penny's farm

Go into the fields

And you work all day

Deep into the night

But you get no pay

Promise you some meat

Or a little bucket of lard

It's hard to make a living

On Penny's farm

It's a hard time in the country

Down on Penny's farm

Hear George Penny

He'll be coming into town

With a wagon load of peaches

Not a one of them sound

Gotta get his money

Gotta get a check

Pay you for a bushel

But you never get a peck

It's a hard time in the country

Down on Penny's farm

George Penny's renters

They be coming into town

With their hands in their pockets

And their heads hanging down

Go to the merchant

And the merchant he'll say,

“your mortgage it is due

And I'm looking for my pay”

It's a hard time in the country

Down on Penny's farm

Deep into his pocket

With a trembling hand,

“can't pay you what I owe

But i'll pay you what I can”

Down to the merchant

And the merchant make a call

Put you on the chain gang

Don't pay at all

It's a hard time in the country

Down on Penny's farm