Wild Grass
Karl OskarWhere once there was wild grassNow there's a wheat fieldThis land was waiting its hour!
Where once there was nothingNo law, no powerThis land pf prairie and pineI made it flower!With this naked pair of handsI made it mine
There was another songI knew it well
The song of steel on rock it sang-It rang of hellAnd when there came a timeWhen hope was goneWe loaded up the wagonsWe moved onFrom that barren, stony ground
SettlersBarren, unforgiving ground
Karl OskarWe loaded up and we wereWestward bound
The earth lay quiet hereSince time beganThrough all Creation waiting hereThe coming of manNo axe rang in these woodsNo sign of toilUntil I put my spade to workAnd dug into this rich, black soil
SettlersWhere once there was wild grassNow there's a wheat fieldThis land was waiting for usWas waiting its hour
NojdYou got something for nothing
SettlersWhere once there was nothingNo law, no powerWe spilled the sweat of our browAnd we made it flowerYes, we made it flower
Karl OskarI watched my father fightThose cruel stonesI saw him crippled at the endThey broke his bones
But here the plow runs deepThe roots reach lowA man stands taller hereHis children growWhat we've done I will defend
SettlersWhat we've done we will defend
Karl OskarYes, what we've won I'll fight for till the end
The earth lay quiet hereSince time beganThrough all Creation waiting hereThe coming of man
No corn grew in these partsNo cattle grazedNow there's no field that goes unploughedThe children we have raisedThey do us proudThe Lord be praised
SettlersThe fruit of the harvestThe roof I raised hereThe logs that fell to my axeWhat am I to blame for?
NojdNothing you feel some shame for?
SettlersWe came for a new lifeTo find a futureWith just the shirt on our backsWe found what we came for
NojdAnd you burned down the wild grass
SettlersWhere once there was wild grassThere is abundanceAnd, yes, we're proud of the factThat we have dug and tilledAnd drilled and hacked
Karl OskarWe ask no favorWe ask no pardonWe found a wilderness hereWe planted a gardenWhere once there was wild grass!