Back in 1860 when the buffalo still ran
Annie met a man who talked of
Living off the land
She can't believe that years ago
At wild-eyed 16
They hit the rutted wagon trail
West with just a dream

After months of travel
With the other pioneers
Miles from the Rockies they just stopped
And dropped their gear
Looking back the summer grass was
Green as green can get
They settled in a good year,
It'll be a dozen 'til the next

Now she knows there's
A love off in the distance
Like the storm clouds
Building to the West
But the rain won't come
When the day is done,
It's quiet like before
She can't take the tension
In the calm before the storm

Summer killed the crops
Beneath the brutal August sun
Cattle starved to nothing
Found the mercy of a gun
Love had warmed the cabin when
The nights were 10 below
Bitter words and hatred now
Are all that they can grow

Now she knows there's a love
Off in the distance
Like the storm clouds
Building to the West
But the rain won't come w
Wen the day is done,
It's quiet like before
She can't take the tension
In the calm before the storm

Desperate times and drought years
Can destroy the best of men
She can't help but wonder
If he'll ever love again
Her dreams have turned to nightmares
And they're all about the rain
Now she thinks of as just
A thousand acre pain

Now she knows there's a love
Off in the distance
Like the storm clouds
Building to the West
But the rain won't come
When the day is done,
It's quiet like before
She can't take the tension
In the calm before the storm

But the rain won't come
When the day is done,
It's quiet like before
She can't take the tension
In the calm before the storm