Story Behind The Song

My grandfather lost his South Dakota farm in the 30s for taxes because of the drought. Both writers come from farming communities and one day the line just worked.

Song Description

couple moves to country to farm and encounter a drought; Woman has to leave cuz she can't take listening to the auctioneer.

Lyrics

LOVE CAN'T MAKE CORN GROW
                        (Elmer Knable/Dale Allen)
                         TEMPO: 79 KEY: B

First time I brought Grace out here everything was so green
We held hands and ran thru these fields rollin' in our dream
But time can test the human soul; it can let you down hard
Neither of us thought this land could break two hearts
   Side by side we we put down roots; hoed every row
   Found out love can't make corn grow

Now Grace sits in a Southwest jet at 30 thousand feet
Staring at our 500 acres of dyin' corn and wheat  
I'm sweating on the tractor covered in brown dust
Every round plowin' under a little more of us
    Side by side we we put down roots; hoed every row
    Turns out love can't make corn grow.

    When money got tight and soil got loose
    We went to the preacher to find the truth
    It ain't no secret that's we were told        
    You can give your all but If rain don't fall, Oh Lord
Even love can't make corn grow
    Even love can't make corn grow

The banker's leanin' against the fence, he's got papers to sign
Been after me for weeks to put my name on the line
I'm already missin' Grace; wishing she was here
She just couldn't find the strength to listen to the Auctioneer
    Side by side we we put down roots; hoed every row
Turns out love can't make corn grow.

just when we think we've got life where it needs to be
That's when it drops us to our knees    

You can give your all, but if rain don't fall, Oh Lord
Even love can't make corn grow
    Love can't make corn grow

© ELMER KNABLE/DALE ALLEN POMMER
I AM RISER(SESAC)/LITTLE TIN GOD MUSIC (ASCAP)