Ralph McTell - Peppers and Tomatoes lyrics

This year in my garden I
Grow peppers and tomatoes
Peppers and tomatoes, they grow together well
And my neighbors all around me
They grow beans and potatoes
Cabbages and onions in the
Village where we dwell

And later in the year we will
Bring wine to the table
Bring wine to the table and
Reap what we have sown
Like my father did before and
His father did before him
And his father did before him
We will share what we have grown

This little patch of dirt
This little pile of stones
I can wash the dust from off my face and skin
But this earth is in my bones

Military vehicles are passing
Through our village
Passing through our village with young
Soldiers ill at ease unsmiling and unshaven
Distrustful and uncertain
Distrustful and uncertain and
All smoking constantly

My neighbors say
"Don't worry for you are one of us
You are one of us and
It will not happen here"
But the next night at the cafe when
I bring wine to the table
When I bring wine to the table
They are sitting drinking beer

Last night the hand of friendship
Fell heavy on my shoulders
Heavy on my shoulders as I turned away to go
As I said goodnight some old men
Some old men and young soldiers
Were humming tunes and singing words to
Songs that I did not know

Oh, this little patch of dirt and
This little pile of stones
I can wash the dust from off my face and skin
But this earth is in my bones

This morning my wife told me that
She'd been to church on Sunday
Been to church on Sunday
She'd felt the need to pray
Our children were baptized there but it was
Just to please the old ones
Just to please the old ones and
I don't know what to say

Tonight as dark is falling
I am tending to my garden
Tending to my garden and the
Crop that I have grown
My car is heavy laden and
Soon I'll start the engine
Soon I'll start the engine
Wake the children and be gone

Oh, this little patch of dirt and
This little pile of stones
I can wash the dust from off my face and skin
But this earth is in my bones

My shotgun it is loaded and
It's hidden in the cabin
It's hidden in the cabin and
The evening's growing chilled
My mouth is dry, my hands are moist
If someone tries to stop me
Someone tries to stop me
I am ready now to kill

Oh, this little patch of dirt and
This little pile of stones
I can wash the dust from off my face and skin
But this earth is in my bones

I am watering my garden when
I smell the cigarette smoke
Smell the cigarette smoke and I
Turn 'round in the dust
And I see the glint of rifles
But I cannot see the faces
But I recognize the voices that say
"You must come with us"