The Farmer in the Dell - The Little Children's Choir & The Broadway Chamber Orchestra

(Jim Wilson) I was resting one evening By the side of the road When I saw an old farmer In a field he had just hoed. His face was brown and all wrinkled By the sun and the wind And he was talking to the Lord Just like he would be talking to a friend. "Well sir", he said, With a voice calm and quiet "Them corn tassels need sacking And I ain't got no string to tie it. Hadn't rained in so long The fields are mighty dusty It's been so unbearable hot That the kids are even getting fussy. Now that grass down in the pasture It should be knee high If we could just have a little shower Lord It might keep the cow from going dry. Ah but listen to me talking Lord You'd think I wasn't grateful Well you'd probably think I was down right hateful. You'd think I forgot about That new calf that you sent And the money that came in the mail That took care of the rent. Maw's cold is better And Johnny is home from the navy Oh, that good Sunday dinner Of chicken and dumplings and gravy. And that new preacher you sent us He sure is a fine young man Why he is just converting Them sinners to beat the band. Well I guess I'll mossy on home now Lord I'll not take no more of your time I guess there are plenty of folks there about, Waiting to ring your line 'Evening to you Lord and watch over us tonight And don't you worry about us none, Lord No Sir, because everything is going to be all right...

From a scintillating star He will signal me to come, By a light of eternity When he calls me I will go. To ask him for that child That I lost with his death, That with Nonino he went... When he tells me come here... I'll be reborn ... because... I am...! the root of the country That modeled with its clay, I am...! blood and skin, Of that Italian who gave me his seed... Good-bye Nonino... how long the road Will be without you Pain, sadness, the table and the bread...! And my good-bye... Ay...! my good-bye, To your love, your tobacco, your wine. Who, without pity, took half of me, When taking you Nonino...? Perhaps one day, I also looking back... Will say as you, good-bye... no more bets...! And today my old Nonino is a part of nature. He is the light, the wind, and the river... This torrent within me replaces him, Extending in me his challenge. I perpetuate myself in his blood, I know. And anticipate in my voice, his own echo. This voice that once sounded hollow to me When I said good-bye... Good-bye Nonino. I am...! the root of the country That modeled with its clay, I am...! blood and skin, Of that Italian who gave me his seed... Good-bye Nonino... you left your sun in my destiny. Your fearless ardor, your creed of love. And that eagerness... Ah.! your eagerness, For seeding the road with hope. I am your honeycomb and this drop of sunlight That today cries for you Nonino Perhaps the day when my string is cut I will see you and I will know there is no end.