What best improves the farmer’s soil?

What gives reason to our toil?

What makes us work until we boil?

A bumper crop of hay.

What’s better than money in the banks?

What makes us bow our head in thanks?

What makes me reach and stretch my shanks?

A bumper crop of hay.

What makes a buffer against my fears?

What puts weight upon the steers?

What makes my mules find second gear?

A bumper crop of hay.

What helps me face the winter’s bleak?

What makes me smile from cheek to cheek?

What’s the greatest treasure I work to seek?

A bumper crop of hay.

What tops the milk with the thickest cream?

What haunts my ever waking dream?

What puffs my chest to split the seams?

A bumper crop of hay.

We work it hard between the rains,

With it there is no need for grains,

It’s a math that challenges our best brains,

A bumper crop of hay.

Once it’s baled and barned we take our rest,

And count ourselves among the blest,

It’s security that gives such zest,

A bumper crop of hay.