Collected by Merlin Mitchell Reel 32
Transcribed by Kyle Perrin Item 2
Doney Hammondtree
Fayetteville, Ark.
July 10, 1950
The Philosophical Farmer
The difference in philosophy,
Between my neighbor here and me,
Is lusterated crystal clear
As how the weather gives us fear.
For instance, this dry Spring we've had,
It makes poor neighbor very sad,
He's really been down at the mouth,
He thinks we're headed for a drouth.
I really believe he pouts
If what I planted does not sprout,
And even i f it does, says he,
It probably will burn up, by gee.
It really is a funny sight
The dust has made his face coal black,
Except the tears have l e f t a track.
But, as for me, the weather's had
No tendency to make me glad,
But, in a slightly different way,
For, when i t ' s dry day after day—
The fish and worms are hard to find,
And scarce as hen's teeth are the kind
That makes the big ones loose their fright,
And guarantees I ' l l get a bite.
But I don't let that get me down,
I s t i l l can laugh instead of frown,
Despite the fact that my complaint
Is sensible and neighbor's ain't.*
The way I figure, i f we get
A -Summer that is never wet,
I t ' s better to relax a b i t,
Than have a breakdown over i t.
*This line is spoken.