Kristin Lems: Song Lyrics

Dedicated to farm women in Illinois and other farm states who lost their land due to the "Farm Widow's Tax" still on the books until the 1970's. Another argument for an equal rights amendment. This song was in an Ann Landers column and played on national farm radio and TV programs. It was written up in Farm Journal Magazine, and Farm Wife magazine, and played on Market to Market.

I am a farmer, I been one all my life
Call me a farmer, and not a farmer's wife
The plough and hoe left their patterns on my hand
And now they tell me this is not my land

We raised two children, they are farmers too
A crop and garden every year we grew
Two hundred acres ain't no easy haul
But it's a good life, no regrets at all

When Joe turned 50, his back was actin up
We three took over, so's he could rest up
My Joe was buried where his daddy lies
And soon some men came, askin for my price

I said, "I live here, and here I'm gonna stay
What makes you think I wanna move away?"
They smiled real sly, said, "Now your farmer's dead.
This farm ain't yours till you pay the overhead."

I know we women, we ain't been in the know
But we're no fools as far as farmin goes
The crop don't know no woman's work or man's
There ain't no law can take me from my land

Cause I'm a farmer, I been one all my life
Call me a farmer, and not a farmer's wife
The plough and hoe left their patterns on my hand
No one can tell me this is not my land,
This is my land.