Story Behind The Song

A twenty-first century update of the themes behind "The Grapes of Wrath," except that this hero's name is "Tom Poad" and the title comes from the next line in The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Song Description

What can a simple country boy do in the age of Wal-Mart, outsourcing, a growing prison-industrial complex, dwindling social services and street-level health care? And Johnny Cash doesn't even come around anymore. Funny how so many troubles can befall the same person, and yet, somehow, not funny at all -- because it probably really happens to someone.

Lyrics

That Fateful Lightning

(opening instrumental)

Well, ya prob'ly don't know me, m' name's Tom Poad,
'N' I've traveled down a long, hard 'n' dusty road
I came to the city 'cause I wanted more,
But I swear I didn't know what was layin' in store.

I hated life on the farm, 'cuz I couldn't make a nickel,
An' I didn't want to stay in debt 'til I'm pickled
An' there was nobody left in my town, (who's sober)
Since the Wal-Mart opened up two counties over.

So I waved goodbye to the retired folks
And I drove to the city where they stole my spokes,
Jacked my radio at the traffic stop,
'N' boosted my tires while I was talking to the cops.

I decided to live right where I was robbed,
But I couldn't pay the rent 'cause I didn't got a job.
I think it was the landlord who stole my TV
And I had to break in 'cuz he took my keys.

I applied at a fact'ry on the edge of town,
And I almost didn't find it 'cause the air was brown.
The river's full of garbage, y' don't go swimmin' if you're wise,
'N th' only fish you kin ketch has got three eyes.

(yodel)

(instrumental)

Well, the fact'ry moved away, and the union got bust,
"Cause they pay the Chinese workers less'n half of us.
The landlord gave me crap 'til I broke his nose
And I started drinkin' hooch 'til it seemed like home.

I joined a new church, at first I felt all right,
But the preacher was prayin' with the hookers at night
So I stayed in my room, didn't see no one,
'Cept to go out an' try ta find some bullets for ma gun.



But they were too expensive, and the BB's don't work;
Tied a sheet around my neck, and gave it a jerk.
Tried to use a rusty razor, even drank from the river,
But I just got hepatitis and screwed up my liver.

In the emergency room, I caught three diseases more,
And the only place left was the street drugstore.
I said, "Can ya give me somethin' for m'pain?"
But the Xanax they gave me 's really crack cocaine.

And now I'm in Folsom, it's my word against his,
'N' Johnny Cash don't visit us like he once did.
It's gonna be a ten-year stretch for Tom Poad,
And I wish I'd never seen yore yella brick road.

(yodel + coughing)

(instrumental)

When I finish my dime, I'm goin' back to the land,
I've had just about all of the city I can stand.
Gonna buy me a spread, 'n' gonna grow me some weed,
That's the only thing I learned in prison that I need.

(closing instrumental)

Playlist Creator	Playlist Name	Date Added
Banna Beag Mall	My Top Songs	9/20/2009