Dust Bowl Children
Alison Krauss (And Union Station) · Paper Airplane [2011]
Everything we owned got all burned up in the great depression fire
Strip mines and one crop farming drained the green earth dry.
We lost it all till only love was left,
and that was the one thing money can't buy.
We're all Dust Bowl Children
Singin' the dust bowl song
Well, the crops won't grow,
And the dust just blows
When the green fields are gone.
When the green grass growing fields are gone.
When the green fields are gone.
When the green grass growing fields are gone.
Well, they said in California, there's work of every kind.
The only work that I got out there was waiting on a welfare line.
Once I had a dollar, once I had a dream.
Now all the work is being done by a big ole machine.
We're all Dust Bowl Children
Singin' the dust bowl song
And the crops won't grow,
And the dust just blows
When the green fields are gone.
When the green grass growing fields are gone.
When the green fields are gone.
When the green grass growing fields are gone.
Dust Bowl Children
Dust Bowl Children stands as a poignant song in Alison Krauss's expansive discography, appearing on her 2011 album Paper Airplane. The track exemplifies the artist's signature ability to blend traditional bluegrass instrumentation with contemporary storytelling, a hallmark of her work with Union Station. While the album explores various emotional landscapes, this song specifically channels the resilience and hardship often associated with American folk narratives. Krauss's crystalline vocals elevate the material, offering a refined interpretation that honors the genre's roots while maintaining a modern sensibility. The recording serves as a testament to her enduring influence on the genre, showcasing her capacity to deliver deeply moving performances that resonate with listeners familiar with her extensive body of work. It remains a significant piece within her catalog, reflecting the artistic maturity she achieved during this period of her career.