Maidstone

from Spruce Island by Spruce Island

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lyrics

On a grain farm near Maidstone, there’s no room for a middle child
Shared a bed with my sisters, arms and legs all in a pile
While my brothers were out in the fields learning to drive
I was stuck in the farmyard pinning laundry to the line

I stretched through driver side window while our dogs made their goodbyes
Dad was stoic as always and searched for rain clouds in the sky
Mama said I’d go get my degree then teach back in town
Didn’t know how to tell them I would never come back round

Leaving Maidstone – didn’t care how
I was homegrown but I needed to plow it under
No wonder no one said that it’s fun
Leaving Maidstone, defying my parents, disappointing everyone

Dad was skilful and steadfast, served as reeve for the RM
In my third year of college, I stopped getting calls from him
Mama said he kept losing his tools and leaving on lights
Then at length he’d forgotten fields he’d farmed his whole life

We gathered in the basement for the reading of his will
I listened as my brothers expectations went unfulfilled
It’s the bitter truth down at the root of many family farms
There’s one patriarch. All others reap the harm.

Leaving Maidstone – didn’t care how
I was homegrown but I needed to plow it under
No wonder no one said that it’s fun
Leaving Maidstone, defying my parents, disappointing everyone

I got married in Maidstone, summer 1989
All the bridesmaids wore turquoise, though that year was pretty dry
When I walked down the aisle on my own and we left arm in arm
Couldn’t know six months later he’d say he would like to farm

Leaving Maidstone – didn’t care how
I was homegrown but I needed to plow it under
No wonder no one said that it’s fun
Leaving Maidstone, defying my parents, disappointing everyone

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from Spruce Island, released December 2, 2022

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Spruce Island Edmonton, Alberta

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