Corn in the fields
Listen to the rice when the wind blows 'cross the water
King Harvest has surely come

I work for the union 'cause she's so good to me
And I'm bound to come out on top
That's where she said I should be
I will hear every word the boss may say
For he's the one who hands me down my pay
Looks like this time I'm gonna get to stay
I'm a union man, now, all the way

The smell of the leaves
From the magnolia trees in the meadow
King Harvest has surely come

Dry summer, then comes fall
Which I depend on most of all
Hey, rainmaker, can't you hear the call?
Please let these crops grow tall

Long enough I've been up on Skid Row
And it's plain to see, I've nothing to show
I'm glad to pay those union dues
Just don't judge me by my shoes

Scarecrow and a yellow moon
And pretty soon a carnival on the edge of town
King Harvest has surely come

Last year, this time, wasn't no joke
My whole barn went up in smoke
Our horse Jethro, well he went mad
And I can't remember things bein' that bad

Then there comes a man with a paper and a pen
Tellin' us our hard times are about to end
And then, if they don't give us what we like
He said, "men, that's when you gotta go on strike"

Corn in the fields
Listen to the rice when the wind blows 'cross the water
King Harvest has surely come


Lyrics submitted by hari66

King Harvest (Has Surely Come) Lyrics as written by Robbie Robertson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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King Harvest (Has Surely Come) song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    Probably my favorite song by the Band, the unique timings, the unusual softness of the chorus, mixed with more upbeat verses. Just outstanding. One of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion. The meaning comes from unions organized from 1927-1935 in the south for farmers. Wish I knew more but the way The Band evokes imagery from a bleak time that they never even really lived through or lived in is simply incredible. Long live Robbie Robertson and The Band. Their name really is truthful. They ARE THE BAND. The Band is one of the greatest musical groups of all time, which is why they deserve their name.

    AlkalineTrioFanon August 16, 2011   Link

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