If You Can’t Grow It, Graze It

Performed by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds

If You Can’t Grow It, Graze It – DOWNLOAD

(Verse 1)
Used to drive a tractor, sun up to sun down,
Plowin’ them fields just outside of town.
But the rain didn’t come, and the corn stayed low,
So I traded in my seeds for a cattle show.
Now I’m ridin’ the range, chasin’ calves on the loose,
No more bean, unless the beef vamoose.

(Chorus)
If you can’t grow it, graze it, that’s how it goes,
Let ‘em munch on the pasture while the green grass grows.
When the crops don’t sprout, the cows don’t quit,
If you can’t grow it, graze it, and you’ll make a hit.

(Verse 2)
I used to chat with plants, now I shout at a steers,
Learned quick they don’t listen, its driving me to drink beers.
Spent my days pullin’ weeds, beggin’ for rain,
Now I’m pullin’ boots off, from a long cattle train.
The sun’s still beatin’ down, but it’s easy to see,
Just a field full of cows, chewin’ profit for me.

(Chorus)
If you can’t grow it, graze it, that’s the farmer’s code,
Let ‘em roam in the meadow, down a dusty road.
When the crops won’t sprout, the cows don’t quit,
If you can’t grow it, graze it, and you’ll make a hit.

(Bridge)
They said I was crazy, said I’d lost my way,
From plantin’ seeds to ridin’ steers all day.
But a cow’s gotta eat, and they don’t ask much,
Just a patch of green grass and a gentle touch.

(Chorus)
If you can’t grow it, graze it, that’s the way it rolls,
While the world chases dollars, I’m countin’ my souls.
When the crops don’t sprout, the cows won’t quit,
If you can’t grow it, graze it, and you’ll make a hit.

(Verse 3)
If your corn’s lookin’ sad, and your beans don’t pop,
Get yourself a few cows, let ‘em work the crop.
They don’t fuss ‘bout rain, don’t cry ‘bout sun,
Just chomp on the grass till the day is done.
Now I’m rockin’ on the porch, boots propped up high,
Watchin’ the cows come home, and I barely try.

(Chorus)
If you can’t grow it, graze it, that’s the farmer’s creed,
Let ‘em graze on the plains, and you’ll fill your need.
When the crops don’t sprout, the cows don’t quit,
If you can’t grow it, graze it, and you’ll make a hit.

(Outro)
If you can’t grow it, graze it, don’t waste your time,
Turn that dirt to beef, you’ll be doin’ just fine.
From dawn’s first light to the evening dew,
If you can’t grow it, graze it… and they’ll do the work for you.
———–
Hereford is Preferred
Angus Among us
Charolais for the Holidays
Limousin In between
Simmental Cattle call
Brahman Uncommon
———–
Texas Longhorn no more corn!

If You Can’t Grow It, Graze It – Lyrics and Music by Alan Nafzger

If You Can’t Grow It, Graze It

Alan Nafzger (1988)

Once I drove a tractor, from sun’s rise to fall,
Plowing those fields, answering nature’s call.
But the rain didn’t come, and the corn wouldn’t grow,
So I traded my seeds for cattle, just so.
Now I ride the range, chasing calves gone astray,
No more beans in sight, just cows at play.

If you can’t grow it, graze it—that’s the way it’s done,
Let them roam the pasture, beneath the Texas sun.
When the crops don’t sprout, the cows don’t care,
If you can’t grow it, graze it—they’ll always be there.

I used to talk to plants, pleading with the soil,
Now I shout at steers, who answer with no toil.
From pulling weeds, begging clouds to form,
To pulling boots off, from a cattle swarm.
The sun still beats down, relentless and bright,
But now it’s cows, not crops, filling up my sight.

If you can’t grow it, graze it—let the cattle feast,
Where the fields once struggled, now they graze in peace.
When the crops won’t bloom, the cows never quit,
If you can’t grow it, graze it—that’s the farmer’s wit.

They said I was crazy, that I’d lost the way,
From planting seeds to chasing steers all day.
But the cows just eat, they don’t ask much,
Just a patch of green and a gentle touch.

If you can’t grow it, graze it—watch the cattle roam,
While the world chases wealth, you’ll find your home.
When the harvest fails, the herd still thrives,
If you can’t grow it, graze it—where true work survives.

When your corn won’t rise and your beans look weak,
Get yourself some cattle, let them do the streak.
They don’t need the rain, don’t cry for sun,
Just munch on the grass ‘til the day is done.
Now I’m on the porch, boots kicked high,
Watching cows return, as I watch the sky.

If you can’t grow it, graze it—that’s the creed to hold,
Let them graze the plains, through the heat and cold.
When the crops don’t sprout, the cows don’t quit,
If you can’t grow it, graze it—life’s better for it.

If you can’t grow it, graze it—don’t fight the ground,
Turn that stubborn soil into something profound.
From dawn to dusk, in the early dew,
If you can’t grow it, graze it—they’ll work for you.

Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by Alan Nafzger