Next Year Finally Came

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
Growin' 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