Next Year Finally Came

(album: Sunday Morning With Charley Pride - 1975)

Once I knew a farmer who reaped little what he sowed
While the neighbors' crops grew prosp'rous all around
And every year at harvest time this farmer did no good
Smaller crops kept coming from his ground

He'd smile and say:
"Thank you Lord, we'll do better come next year
I know you have a reason for it all. I'll try a little harder
And be thankful for the day. And next year's crops are gathered in the fall."

The neighbors saw the times get worse and couldn't understand
How this humble soul could call himself a man
They would gather round the market place
And brag on their success, this farmer's faith they didn't understand

He'd smile and say:
"Thank you Lord, we'll do better come next year
I know you have a reason for it all. I'll try a little harder
And be thankful for the day. And next year's crops are gathered in the fall."

Then came the day when all their land was bare and worn-out soil but the farmer's land kept growing rich with rain
And everything he sowed he reaped in wealthy fertile years
And thanked the Lord that next year finally came

He'd just smile and say:
"Thank you Lord, we'll do better come next year
I know you have a reason for it all. I'll try a little harder
And be thankful for the day. And next year's crops are gathered in the fall."

And thanks the Lord that next year finally came