Autumn

July the fourth in the market town Farmers have come for miles around Bringing their wives and children. A farmer stands with his youngest son Watching their sheep driven from the pen The slaughterhouse is waiting. Look they're turning back They're frightened Dogs are snapping at their heels Jumping on each other's backs Hear their squeals. The young boy stands looking quite dismayed How can they know they're just animals Come pull yourself together. The farmer tells him to look inside Row after row of raw carcasses Their blood runs in the gutters. Listen to their silly bleating Farmer beats them with his stick Milling by the open door Don't be sick. The young boy Takes a look around See people watching blankly And he pities them For they too Look like sheep And he tells himself When he grows up When he becomes a farmer He will just plant seeds of love He will just plant seeds of love He will just plant seeds of love And he will harvest peace