Once I knew a farmer who reaped little what he sowed While the neighbors' crops grew prosp'rous all around And every year at harvest time this farmer did no good Smaller crops kept coming from his ground He'd smile and say: "Thank you Lord, we'll do better come next year I know you have a reason for it all. I'll try a little harder And be thankful for the day. And next year's crops are gathered in the fall." The neighbors saw the times get worse and couldn't understand How this humble soul could call himself a man They would gather round the market place And brag on their success, this farmer's faith they didn't understand He'd smile and say: "Thank you Lord, we'll do better come next year I know you have a reason for it all. I'll try a little harder And be thankful for the day. And next year's crops are gathered in the fall." Then came the day when all their land was bare and worn-out soil but the farmer's land kept growin' rich with rain And everything he sowed he reaped in wealthy fertile years And thanked the Lord that next year finally came He'd just smile and say: "Thank you Lord, we'll do better come next year I know you have a reason for it all. I'll try a little harder And be thankful for the day. And next year's crops are gathered in the fall." And thanks the Lord that next year finally came