Story Behind The Song

This was written originally for a movie that never was released.

Song Description

Kansas dust bowl. A young farmer looks out over his fields. He thinks of his family roots. His hungry children, and the impending storm weigh heavily on his mind and he beings a heated prayer.

Lyrics

Tell Me What I've Earned
©2007 David Harper, Carol Harper, Mark Spoelstra

My family's blood is in this soil
Their bones are bringing up the crops we toil
When Harvest moon shines in September
Nothing happens unless we wake
Crack of dawn we can't sleep late
Look out there?morning just waits ...

Diesel dust old tractors and rust
Soon the earth will warm like the
Coffee in my gut
Wind?s picking up dust in the air
Bow my head in prayer

Take everything Lord
And take it soon
Take the mid-day sun
Take the harvest moon
Endless fields beckoning
Islands of corn reckoning
When the work is done
And the lamplight burns
Tell me what I've earned
Tell me what I've earned

In my bed at night, my one desire
Is for peace to come as I retire
My hands are dry, my body aches
Is this is what it takes?
Dirt in my fingernails
Boots caked in mud
Sweat crawling down my face
Shirt smells of sludge
This is something I love ?

And all I really ask as I scan the skies
Is that the bellies of my children are satisfied
And if this is what it takes Lord
Bring it on

Take everything Lord
And take it soon
Take the mid-day sun
Take the harvest moon
Endless fields beckoning
Islands of corn reckoning
When the work is done
And the lamplight burns
Tell me what I've earned
Tell me what I've earned

Session Info:
David Harper vocals, drums, piano
Mark Lonsway guitar
Ippei Suzuki bass