They Did With What They Had

We reaped the whirlwind in the thirties
Poor planning and drought combined real bad
Folks held together as best they could
They did with what they had

Plains states were drowning in dust and wind
Dust storms would last and last
Got into everywhere and everything
They did with what they had

Many turned their eyes to heaven
Words passed their lips, God didn’t give a damn
Others found comfort in the good book
They did with what they had

Had the almighty deserted them
Were they left out of the plan
His silence made some feel abandoned
They did with what they had

Things were lean round supper tables
Not a lot of food on hand
Had to share and share alike
They did with what they had

Those with means to travel
Took off for the promised land
A rusty pickup, a family and flat tires
They did with what they had

Some stayed behind it was their home
They were rooted to the past
Ball and chained to the land of the free
They did with what they had

Bankers filled the skies like vultures
No use trying to make a stand
Places sold for pennies on the dollar
They did with what they had

So many lost a young one
Dust pneumonia in the migrant camps
Then you’d hear a new born crying
They did with what they had

Tears of joy or tears so sad
They did with what they had

Bankers filled the sky like vultures
No sense trying to make a stand
Places sold for pennies on the dollar
They did with what they had

Had the Almighty deserted them
Were they left out of the plan
His silence made them feel abandoned
They did with what they had

Copywrite © 2025 Bill Soden