We’re getting a new header, a bloody big one
I dunno what colour, but we’ll take off two tonne
I want to be able to take it off fast
I’m scared to death this dream won’t last
I’ve been chasing a crop like this since I started
when seeding new land wasn’t for the faint hearted
Stumps and droughts and tight fisted banks
and promising seasons that just fired blanks

Now we are ready to head for the bin 
we’ve beaten the  odds of the crop cycle spin
The rain came on time, and the frost passed us by
and even the spring-time wasn’t too dry
We avoided the beetles and hoppers and rust
and bloody diseases that turn crops to dust
So now we can turn to buying a harvester
the last time we bought one it was a disaster

It was pulled by our tractor and cut just twelve feet
To finish by Christmas – that would be a treat
It’ll be self propelled and cut at fast pace
a Claas, or New Holland, John Deere or Case?
I think I like blue though the missus likes yellow
so I’ll grant her wish – make myself a good fellow.
I’ll go see the dealer and get him to quote
and then to the bank to get a bank note

Agent gave me the numbers, I nearly passed out
farming was cheaper when we were in drought
It cost us nothing to take bugger-all off
we had no such worries when down in a trough
So I took out the Inter with the old PTO
cranked up the Chamberlain – started first go
I’d better get going, get this grain in the bin
and stop the half million going to him.

I might not be finished till early next year
but I’ll keep on driving this trusty old gear
With the money I’ve saved I’ll be able to sleep
and keep all the income from the grain I will reap
and not worry about paying back the bank loan
that would have left me broke and flyblown
With grain in the bin and no extra debt
and sleeping at night without the bank threat

I might think about the new header next year
or I might not, coz they’re bloody dear.

Steve Rogers 2021