Farm Auction lyrics

The sons came from across the land to help them through

And last night in the kitchen was the missus' dream come true

All her sons were standin', laughin'

Like a ghost from days long past when

Their hopes and dreams were all she knew

And they all got up on this last mornin', feelin' fine

All those different motors to get started one last time

By ten the yard was crowded

The auction voices shouted

Their neighbours movin' down the line

They stand to watch the caller's hammer fall

Another timeworn treasure carried off

It took a life to build this farm and all

And they just watch the hammer fall

As each son reached the age to choose he left the land

They couldn't seem to see the dream that guided their old man

He knew they had to leave him

But each one left him grievin'

He'd hoped that one would understand

So for the past ten years he's farmed his section all alone

The prairie winds aren't easy on his 60-year-old bones

Though he knows what he's doin'

It doesn't make sense to him

He'll never reap all that he's sown

They stand to watch the caller's hammer fall

Another timeworn treasure carried off

It took a life to build this farm and all

Now they just watch the hammer fall

Now he knows that they are troubled and a little scared

Could strangers ever farm this land and care the way they cared?

But each spring the land will freshen

And their pain will lessen

With all that they have shared

They stand to watch the caller's hammer fall

Their way of living split and carried off

It took a life to build this farm and all

Now they just watch the hammer fall

They just watch the hammer fall

• Artist:Chris Hadfield
• Album:Space Sessions: Songs From a Tin Can