Harvest Time
Gene Watson · Love in the Hot Afternoon & Paper Rosie [2002]
Cool and cloudy night upon Boll Mountain Alabama
I was stealing corn from Homer Lawson's Field
The rattle of the cornstalks and the bark of Homer's hound dog
Made me hug the ground and lie dead still.
Flashing through my mind was Big Homer's reputation
A man who really didn't give a damn
They say he shot ol' Mountain Joe for just one ear of corn
And laughed the day they laid him in the ground.
Well, I can hear the breaking of the sticks from someone's footsteps
But shaky legs just can't get up and run
And as I lay there breathless the next thing I expected
Was a blast of hell from Homer Lawson's gun.
--- Instrumental ---
The clouds rolled by and then I saw the shadow of a lady
It was Homer's lovely daughter Julie Ann
I smelled the perfume in her hair as she sat down beside me
Whispered papa's running moonshine again.
I thank God for cloudy nights and Alabama's whiskey stills
And harvest times in Homer Lawson's field
I thank God for cloudy nights and Alabama's whiskey stills
And harvest times in Homer Lawson's field...
Harvest Time
Gene Watson's "Harvest Time" stands as a quintessential example of his mature country storytelling, released on the 2002 album *Love in the Hot Afternoon & Paper Rosie*. The track exemplifies Watson's signature ability to blend traditional country instrumentation with a modern, polished production style that defined his work in the early 2000s. Written with characteristic attention to detail, the song explores themes of seasonal change and the passage of time, reflecting a reflective mood that resonated deeply with his audience. As part of his broader discography, this recording showcases Watson's versatility in crafting narratives that balance personal emotion with broader observational perspectives, cementing his status as a prominent figure in contemporary country music during this era.