G


[Verse 1]
G                                  Am
The sons came from across the land to help them through
C                                     G                  D
And last night in the kitchen was the missus' dream come true
Em
All her sons were standin', laughin'
G
Like a ghost from days long past when
Am                                  D
Their hopes and dreams were all she knew


[Verse 2]
         G                                Am
And they all got up on this last mornin', feelin' fine
C                                 G                D
All those different motors to get started one last time
Em
By ten the yard was crowded
G
The auction voices shouted
Am                               D
Their neighbours movin' down the line


[Chorus]
G                                Bm
They stand to watch the caller's hammer fall
C                         G       D
Another timeworn treasure carried off
Em                           Bm
It took a life to build this farm and all
C             D                G
And they just watch the hammer fall


[Verse 3]
G                                        Am
As each son reached the age to choose he left the land
C                                            G                D
They couldn't seem to see the dream that had guided their old man
Em
He knew they had to leave him
G
But each one left him grievin'
Am                             D
He'd hoped that one would understand


[Verse 4]
D          G                                      Am
So for the past ten years he's farmed his section all alone
C                                    G           D
The prairie winds aren't easy on his 60-year-old bones
Em
Though he knows what he's doin'
G
It doesn't make sense to him
Am                             D
He'll never reap all that he's sown


[Chorus]
G                                Bm
They stand to watch the caller's hammer fall
C                         G
Another timeworn treasure carried off
Em                           Bm
It took a life to build this farm and all
C             D                G
Now they just watch the hammer fall


[Verse 5]
G                                         Am
Now he knows that they are troubled and a little scared
      C                                 G                 D
Could strangers ever farm this land and care the way they cared?
Em
But each spring the land will freshen
G
And their pain will lessen
Am                      D
With all that they have shared


[Chorus]
G                                Bm
They stand to watch the caller's hammer fall
C                             G       D
Their way of living split and carried off
Em                           Bm
It took a life to build this farm and all
C             D                G
Now they just watch the hammer fall
C         D                G
They just watch the hammer fall