From the album Its Root, Hoe or Die
When the Black Clouds Roll was inspired by Dorothea Lange's photo "Tractored out" https://www.sfmoma.org/artwork/ST1998.0282.
Doug Cox: Mandolin
Linda McRae: Bass/Vocals
Kim Richey: Guitar/Vocals
Lyrics
When the Black Clouds Roll
Cox/McRae/Richie October 2018
There used to be a sea of Buffalo grass
Green as Cory’s eyes but that’s all in the past
It was the first and only time we owned a little land
We had a few good years till it all turned to sand
Me and Cory came late to church on the day
Dust storm of ’35 blew all we’d worked for away
Wheat will win the war rain follows the plough
We took their words to heart but we know better now
Who will save our souls
When the black clouds roll
We sold off what we could, we left the rest behind
One more poor dirt farmer heading West on 99
Who will save our souls
When the black clouds roll
There used to be a sea of Buffalo grass
Green as Cory’s eyes but that’s all in the past