Planting in a Drought

by Tom Smith

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

Purchasable with gift card

name your price
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
New songs of struggle, protest and encouragement.
Physical CD in wallet packaging. Graphic design by Leslie Lee, leslieandsteve.com

Includes unlimited streaming of Planting in a Drought via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 5 days

$10 USD or more

1.	I Do the Best I Can 03:46	lyrics	buy track
I Do the Best I Can by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) An old man on a stage, his age belies the power of his song With a voice that may be shaky, he clearly sings of making right from wrong Because he’s old he is told, “It’s time to bring your singin’ to an end” He replies “As long as I can play my banjo I will do the best I can” I’ll do the best I can I don’t listen to the noise I wake up and take a stand Put my heart into my voice Stones are smoothed by grains of sand So even though I’m just one man I do the best I can That phoebe in the rafters of my front porch doesn’t stop to take a rest When she hears that music flowing from her feathered offspring filling up her nest To and fro, bugs in tow, on a task that never seems to end I ask her how she does it, and she tells me “I do the best I can” I do the best I can I don’t listen to the noise I don’t claim to understand I don’t have a choice But I’ll sing in the end This is where it all began That’s why I do the best I can Sometimes I count myself among the many who are ready to give up Perhaps we’ve started way too late and the distance is too great to make it up But step by step, we can get farther from the start than from the end For the sake of all our children and their children I’ll do the best I can I’ll do the best I can I won’t listen to the noise I’ll wake up and take a stand And put my heart into my voice I will get there in the end I’ll sing it once again I do the best I can Just do the best you can Don’t listen to the noise Wake up! Take a stand! Put your heart into your voice You will get there in the end Every woman, child and man Do the best you can CODA We will get there in the end If together hand in hand We do the best we can
2.	The Money Flows Up 03:12	lyrics	buy track
The Money Flows Up by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) The money flows up The money flows up We’re workin’ in a world that’s bottom-side-top Where the costs flow down and the money flows up I work two jobs. My wife does too There’s nothin’ left when the bills come due We can work all day and never fill our cup Where the costs flow down and the money flows up The money flows up The money flows up We can work all day and never fill our cup Where the costs flow down and the money flows up If you build your house on a master plan That’s born on the backs of the common man But the benefits go to the few at the top Then the costs flow down and the money flows up The money flows up The money flows up When the benefits go to the few at the top The costs flow down and the money flows up I’ve got this to say to the penthouse few There’s ninety nine of me for every one of you We can break that dam where the deals are struck That make the costs flow down and the money flow up The money flow up The money flow up We can breach that dam where the deals are struck That make the costs flow down and the money flow up To the folks who work on Capital Street Who hear just the voice of the corporate elite It’s quite simple. You can fix things up Spread the costs around, the money shows up The money shows up The money shows up It’s quite simple, you can fix things up Spread the costs around, the money shows up [CODA] We can work all day and never fill our cup When the benefits go to the few at the top But we can breach that dam where the deals are struck That make the costs flow down and the money flow up.
3.	Liberty's Shore 04:36	lyrics	buy track
Liberty's Shore by Tom Smith (ASCAP) and Traditional © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) One evening so late as I rambled By the banks of a wild rushing stream, I took shelter from oncoming weather, And fell into an unquiet dream. I dreamed I beheld a fair maiden Her equal I ne'er saw before, She cried for the sake of our country As she strayed along Liberty’s shore. I arose and boldly addressed her “Fair maid, what’s the cause of your pain? And why to this perilous country In the midst of our turmoil you came?” She said, “I carry this lantern To lift and give light to the world I have come to awaken my brethren Who slumber on Liberty’s shore” She said, “With all innocence drownded And virtue confused and afraid With the good lacking direction And the bad full of passion and rage” “Now is the time we must summon The spirit of love and accord To vanquish the wrongs of our country And cast them from Liberty’s shore” Then in a flurry of lightning Thunder ruptured my dream This beautiful maiden had left me And I long for to see her again May the heavens before her split open A storm that we can not ignore To waken my sisters and brothers Who slumber on Liberty’s shore
4.	The Frog and the Scorpion 04:31	lyrics	buy track
The Frog and the Scorpion by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) This story is old,. It is not often told But now is the time to restore it In an old fashioned way, it is meant to convey A warning to those who ignore it. There once was a frog in desperate times His hardship was like many others This frog was poor, with no food in his store Like those of his sisters and brothers [Refrain: Repeat last 2 lines of every verse] ----- From under a log quite close to the frog A scorpion rose to address him From what I heard I don’t think his words Came with the best of intentions “I must cross this lake” the scorpion said “Kindly I ask you consider. I can’t swim the gap. Take me on your back. I’ll reward you with gold and with silver.” ----- The frog then replied, “I have seen many die By the power you wield with your venom. What kind of assurance, can you provide That I’ll not be counted among them?” “Yes I have a great stinger.” the scorpion said. “But I’m not afraid to address this. If I used it on you, then I would drown too. And that’s not in our mutual interest.” ----- With the promise of gain, and no thought of pain The frog did agree to enlist. (He knew) He could contain the scorpion’s campaign. It was an acceptable risk. The frog with scorpion swam from the shore And then beyond all comprehension Half way across, in spite of the cost The scorpion delivered his poison. ----- The frog in his pain, with tears he exclaimed “Now we will both meet our maker!” But the scorpion proclaimed, “You are to blame! For you knew that this is my nature.” Now that my story has come to an end It’s custom I tell you the lesson. Make sure you don’t fail to consider this tale When you vote in the coming election
5.	Talkin' Election 02:57	lyrics	buy track
Talkin' Election by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) Here we go again, another election year Politicians are on a tear Some are puling me to go out and vote Others are pushing me to make sure I don’t I’m registered... and I vote! Some say when choosing who represents We should put our trust in the one percent Cut their taxes to the bone Fill our buckets with money that trickles down Let’s see, that’s 99 for the few and one for the rest of us? Yeah, that sounds about right. I’m just a guy who works for minimum wage It must have been like this in the Middle Age A servant to a feudal lord I work for the guy with the biggest sword I guess I should be grateful though -- doing such useful work -- like building walls around the castle -- Got to keep out all those job stealers. Science says there is no doubt What’s causing all these floods and droughts But when we can’t farm nor drink due to climate change They’ll still be drinkin’ from the Koch machine That’s the Charles and David Koch machine Champions of freedom, fossil fuel - with the best politicians money can buy When their god co-authors the laws we make We’ll be burning witches at the stake And when we measure freedom in our land By the count of guns in every hand We can thank or blame those of us who voted -- and those who did not. I’ll tell it straight. I’ve got a choice to make. Do I want to live in a country run by greed and hate? Where black lives don’t matter and facts are ignored? Gender rights are on the cutting board? Yes, we have a choice to make. -- Will I see you in November?
6.	Seed on a Stone 03:31	lyrics	buy track
Seed on a Stone by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) There was a man who had a dream The kind romantic fools and visionaries dream That all people are deserving of A rule of law founded on love But when dreams meet power Those in command will own the hour Into prison he was thrown A seed on a stone They did not understand That seed contained the hope of women and of men Hope that would not be denied When restraints had been untied Its root forged a path That split the rock in half The impossible was done By a seed on a stone Now that he has gone away Why can’t we walk the path he showed us yesterday “Once in a lifetime” pundits cry “A man and circumstance collide” When I despair I seek the fruit his life did bear From the tree that has grown From a seed on a stone
7.	We Have Been Here Before 03:07	lyrics	buy track
We Have Been Here Before by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) We have been here before We have been here before We can see the warnings they want us to ignore We have been here before We’ve heard that sound before We’ve heard that sound before The rattle of the sabres. The sharp’ning of swords We’ve heard that sound before We wrote this check before We wrote this check before Rich man plays with weapons paid for by the poor We wrote this check before We’ve sung this song before We’ve sung this song before We will not stop singin’. We’ll strike every chord We’ve sung this song before We have been here before We have been here before We can see the warnings they want us to ignore We have been here before We have been here before (2x)
8.	Liberty and Justice for All 04:07	lyrics	buy track
Liberty and Justice for All by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) When I looked up to the flag My young hand upon my breast Proud of the nation that we had I swore allegiance with a pledge Written on my classroom wall “With liberty and justice for all” All my goals were in my sight What I worked for I could win I knew my future would be bright A privilege granted by my skin On the white side of the wall I saw liberty and justice for all Now hatred has removed its mask Emboldened by the choice we made The stars and bars flies from the mast We fortify our barricades Can we boast of freedom behind walls Without liberty and justice for all? Now as I look upon the flag Scarred by anger and by greed I unfurl that tattered rag To raise a dream I still believe I pledge to tear down my walls To build liberty and justice for all
9.	Reach Out to Me 03:47	lyrics	buy track
Reach Out to Me by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) The sky is crying, the wind is flying I’m trying to reach solid ground My world has turned upside down I pray that I will be found CHORUS: You are the moon, I am the sea Reach out to pull me free We are the tide, we’ll fall and we’ll rise Reach out to me I arrived in a pack, on my mother’s back I earned everything that I own With my muscle, my brain and my bone That’s why I can call this my home CHORUS This is where I belong, don’t get me wrong I know what it costs to be free Money is not all that we bleed It’s the price that we pay for the dream CHORUS FINAL CHORUS: You are the moon, I am the sea Reach out to pull me free We are the tide, together we’ll rise Reach out to me
10.	With Erebos Rejoicing 03:09	lyrics	buy track
With Erebos Rejoicing by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) With Erebos rejoicing the triumph of the dark He rose to shoot from ambush at the true of heart Ignorance his arrows. Hatefulness his bow To forge the spears of chaos with every hammer blow To forge the spears of chaos with every hammer blow (and a similar refrain after all verses) ----- I too have felt his arrow deep within my chest Pierced through my spirit, all hope drained from my breast Tempted to surrender to his endless night I summon all my courage and turn to face the fight ----- I have heard the stories, the fables and the myths That justify the evil in this world in which we live They tell them loud and often until lies become their truth But they’ll be undisguised when their lies come home to roost ----- I put my faith in goodness. I put my faith in light And in that faith empower the strength to make it right I’ll not give in to hatred, to failure or despair For there is nothing broken that love cannot repair ----- To all who are disheartened, discouraged or confused Mistreated or oppressed, abandoned or abused The moral arc is long, and to justice it will bend And let it be recorded, we bent it with our hands ----- ----- ----- CODA: The moral arc is long, and to justice it will bend And let it be recorded, we bent it with our hands
11.	Planting in a Drought 04:13	lyrics	buy track
Planting in a Drought by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) Another day breaks. Another hope wakes Another sun bakes my back from dawn till dusk Why do I keep on planting the same song They say it’s all wrong, for my seed will turn to dust But for me, everything I know Is right here in these long straight rows That’s why I’m planting in a drought Planting in a drought Right now it all seems like a bad dream These fields were once green with promise for my son But he can not do what I was born to Only a damned fool would follow me into the sun But sometimes I see it in his eyes He wants to give it one more try That’s why I’m planting in a drought Planting in a drought When they’re explaining why it’s not raining The experts say things that I don’t understand I know that hard work can make my heart hurt Then I feel this soft earth and these tools in my hands For me, everything I know Is right here in these long straight rows I’m planting in a drought Planting in a drought Another day breaks Another hope wakes
12.	I'm Gonna Use My Hands 03:41	lyrics	buy track
I'm Gonna Use My Hands by Tom Smith (ASCAP) © 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) I’m gonna use my hands. I’ll find a broken thing to mend I’m gonna use my hands I’m gonna use my hands I’m gonna use my hands I’ll build a bridge and make a friend I’m gonna use my hands I’m gonna use my hands I’m gonna make the world a better place Gonna use my hands I’m gonna use my brain Turn every loss into a gain I’m gonna use my brain I’m gonna use my brain I’m gonna use my brain And if I fail I’ll try again I’m gonna use my brain I’m gonna use my brain I’m gonna make the world a better place I’m gonna use my brain I’m gonna use my voice If something’s wrong I’m makin’ noise! I’m gonna use my voice I’m gonna use my voice I’m gonna use my voice ‘Cause everybody has a choice I’m gonna use my voice I’m gonna use my voice I’m gonna make the world a better place I’m gonna use my voice I’m gonna use my heart This is the hardest part I’m gonna use my heart I’m gonna use my heart I’m gonna use my heart Let’s find a common place and start I’m gonna use my heart I’m gonna use my heart I’m gonna make the world a better place I’m gonna use my heart We’re gonna use our hands We’re gonna use our brains We’re gonna use our voice We’re gonna use our hearts We’re gonna use our hands We’re gonna use our brains We’re gonna use our voice We’re gonna use our hearts We’re gonna make the world a better place We're gonna use our hands

about

New songs of struggle, protest and encouragement in classic folk style.

"Tom Smith’s latest CD 'Planting In A Drought' is a masterwork of folk idioms, protest songs, and lyrical truths."~ Bill Copeland Music News

credits

released March 27, 2020

All songs by Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Except "Liberty's Shore" by Tom Smith & Traditional
(c) (p) 2020 Peabody Hill Publishing (ASCAP) ~ All rights reserved

Produced and Mixed by SEAN STAPLES, Wesley Park Studio
Recorded by SEAN STAPLES and TOM SMITH
except (12) recorded live and mixed by STEVEN FRIEDMAN, Melville Park Studio
Mastered by DAVE WESTNER
Photography by DAN TAPPAN
Graphic design by LESLIE LEE

Tom Smith ~ vocals & guitar

Janice Allen ~ vocals (7)
Isa Burke ~ fiddle (1, 10)
Seth Connelly ~ lead guitar (2, 3, 7, 9, 11), vocals, mandolin & bass (12)
Laurence Scudder ~ viola (8)
Mally Smith ~ vocals (3, 6, 9, 11)
Sean Staples ~ mandolin (1, 6, 8), bass (1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), pump organ (6, 8, 9, 10), banjo (1), bouzouki (6, 10), accordion (10), tambourine (7), hand claps (7), & drums (10)

Adult Chorus (10) ~ everyone
Children's chorus (12) ~ Andrew, Anna, Casey, Cyrus, Evan, Huck, Jada, Justin, Kyrieh, Scarlett

I am grateful for the life, music, and inspiration of Pete Seeger.

license

about

Tom Smith Boston, Massachusetts

“Folk music is still a living tradition that feeds on new songs that speak of people’s wants, needs, struggles and triumphs. Tom Smith is a man who writes songs that seem like they’ve always been there. There are very few songwriters working today that I would call folksingers, but I would call Tom Smith a true folksinger.” – Dave Palmeter, WUMB-FM Boston ... more

tomsmithmusic.com

contact / help

Contact Tom Smith

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Tom Smith, you may also like:

Every Rose
by Mally Smith

supported by 6 fans who also own “Planting in a Drought”
go to album
Don't Be Discouraged
by Peter Lehndorff

supported by 6 fans who also own “Planting in a Drought”

Poignant, funny, and exquisitely produced. A marvelous album! Joseph Houck
go to album
Free
by Mally Smith

supported by 5 fans who also own “Planting in a Drought”
go to album
Cold Sea
by Oisin Leech

Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024
go to album
Too Many Souls
by Avi C. Engel

The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024
go to album
Here in the Pitch
by Jessica Pratt

On her fourth album, Jessica Pratt blends up 60s pop and bossa nova into a spooky mix of soft psychedelia. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 20, 2024
go to album
Sentinels
by Mally Smith

supported by 5 fans who also own “Planting in a Drought”

Keep doing well by doing good, Mally! PapaVart
go to album