Hard Times Are Relative

Verse: 1 Just me and my sister, a dog and a piece of land My sister’s name is Darlene and the dog is called Cheyenne Our folks both passed away last fall in the fire at the mill We get by on a garden and whatever we can kill Verse: 2 On the land there stands a cabin that our grandfather built When I’m away to hunt, I feel overrun with guilt Cause Darlene’s all alone except for the dog and awful dreams She’s seven years my younger and I’m only seventeen Chorus We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree Hard times are relative when it comes to family Verse: 3 In the morning I was off before the sun had kissed the ridge Whistling new Jimmy Rogers tune as I crossed the coal train bridge Two good days of hunting and an evening all alone I’ll quarter up what I take down then pack it all back home Verse: 4 My head up in the clouds walking on uneven ground My boots slipped out beneath me and I came a crashing down To the entrance of a cavern, its walls all were wet with moss My rifle up there on the ledge said hope was looking lost We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree Hard times are relative when it comes to family Verse: 5 Three nights nearly frozen, my head filled up with doubt No matter how hard I tried there was no climbing out I yelled for help then prayed the same and even yelled some prayers Tears fell at the thought of Darlene with no one there Verse 6 My mind began to flutter, like the wings of a dove Coulda sworn that I was dreaming when Darlene appeared above She lowered down a rope then tied it to a blackjack tree Cheyenne had found my drag rack trail and brought her straight to me We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree Hard times are relative when it comes to family Verse 7 As proud as any father of this fearless little one Caring for a homestead while most kids are having fun Smiling on the way back home there were no words I could say Till we stopped to dress the 10 point buck she had shot along the way We need to fill the smokehouse, winters coming on I know it isn’t easy, since mom and dad been gone We will keep on growing, two branches of the tree Hard times are relative when it comes to family