The Beat Farmers — Reason to Believe
Album: Tales Of The New WestAvg rating:
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Length: 2:30
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Seen a man standin' over a dead dog lyin' by the highway in a ditch
He's lookin' down kinda puzzled pokin' that dog with a stick
Got his car door flung open he's standin' out on Highway 31
Like if he stood there long enough that dog'd get up and run
It struck me kinda funny, seemed kinda funny sir to me
Still at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Now Mary Lou loved Johnny with a love mean and true
She said "Baby I'll work for you every day, bring my money home to you"
One day he up and left her and ever since that
She waits down at the end of that dirt road for young Johnny to come back
Struck me kinda funny, funny yeah to me*
How at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Take a baby to the river, Kyle William they called him
Wash the baby in the water, take away little Kyle's sin
In a whitewash shotgun shack an old man passes away
Take his body to the graveyard, over him they pray
Lord won't you tell us, tell us what does it mean
At the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Congregation gathers down by the riverside
Preacher stands with a Bible, groom stands waitin' for his bride
Congregation gone and the sun sets behind a weepin' willow tree
Groom stands alone and watches the river rush on so effortlessly
Wonderin' where can his baby be
Still at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
He's lookin' down kinda puzzled pokin' that dog with a stick
Got his car door flung open he's standin' out on Highway 31
Like if he stood there long enough that dog'd get up and run
It struck me kinda funny, seemed kinda funny sir to me
Still at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Now Mary Lou loved Johnny with a love mean and true
She said "Baby I'll work for you every day, bring my money home to you"
One day he up and left her and ever since that
She waits down at the end of that dirt road for young Johnny to come back
Struck me kinda funny, funny yeah to me*
How at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Take a baby to the river, Kyle William they called him
Wash the baby in the water, take away little Kyle's sin
In a whitewash shotgun shack an old man passes away
Take his body to the graveyard, over him they pray
Lord won't you tell us, tell us what does it mean
At the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Congregation gathers down by the riverside
Preacher stands with a Bible, groom stands waitin' for his bride
Congregation gone and the sun sets behind a weepin' willow tree
Groom stands alone and watches the river rush on so effortlessly
Wonderin' where can his baby be
Still at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe
Comments (58)add comment
be nice to see them at a show with los lobos
why beat farmers? Country Dick was one of the few to die onstage, what a way to go
Beet Farmers!?
toterola wrote:
Country Dick Montana was a force to be reckon with. Not only was he big/tall, but he drank like a fish.
Went to a Beat Farmer's show in Sacrament around 1993. I knew a few of their songs, but didn't really know the band. A friend and I were up at the bar having drinks before the show, and we noticed this big (not fat) dude thoroughly putting beers down, with shots mixed in between. Between us, we were pretty amazed dude was still standing. Not exactly sure how it started, but we ended up chatting with Country Dick. He autographed a napkin, "See you in hell" and a scribbled his signature. Country Dick went on to perform, again drinking amazing amounts of booze, body surfing to the bar to get more beer and shots poured in his mouth, and singing all the while.
I'm honestly amazed he lived a few months after that gig, let alone a handful of year more.
R.I.P. Country Dick Montana, glad to have shared a few moments of his time on this planet.
Mojo Nixon (yeah, that Mojo Nixon!) has an afternoon show on XM radio's Outlaw Country. He was a contemporary of The Beat Farmers, X, and a bunch of the other So-Cal punk scene. He has some funny sh*t to say about ol' Country Dick. Apparently he was quite a character.
Country Dick Montana was a force to be reckon with. Not only was he big/tall, but he drank like a fish.
Went to a Beat Farmer's show in Sacrament around 1993. I knew a few of their songs, but didn't really know the band. A friend and I were up at the bar having drinks before the show, and we noticed this big (not fat) dude thoroughly putting beers down, with shots mixed in between. Between us, we were pretty amazed dude was still standing. Not exactly sure how it started, but we ended up chatting with Country Dick. He autographed a napkin, "See you in hell" and a scribbled his signature. Country Dick went on to perform, again drinking amazing amounts of booze, body surfing to the bar to get more beer and shots poured in his mouth, and singing all the while.
I'm honestly amazed he lived a few months after that gig, let alone a handful of year more.
R.I.P. Country Dick Montana, glad to have shared a few moments of his time on this planet.
More like the Beam Farters, right guys?
Kind of funny how people don't mind this cover of Springsteen, but they hate the Neil Young Powderfinger cover...
Damn, I miss Country Dick Montana. Helluva soul.
Country Dick and Clan played everywhere in San Diego in the 80's! It is good to hear them on RP
Tuesday1 wrote:
Me Too!
Great take on Springsteen.
Miss this band! Thanks for playing!
Me Too!
Great take on Springsteen.
Hearing this reminded me of the raucous mess a Beat Farmers show was. Used to work their shows when they'd play UofL's Red Barn in Louisville, Ky. Gained a significant appreciation of Dos Equis from them. Never quite learned how to drink it from a Stetson hat held between one's ankles as their feet shot up in the air though.
Definitely miss you, Country Dick Montana. No one could say you didn't get into your work.
Definitely miss you, Country Dick Montana. No one could say you didn't get into your work.
Which came first, this or La Grange?
Miss this band! Thanks for playing!
Need more Beat Farmers......kickin!
WICKED COOL.
would love alot more of this style, rather than that long run of Radio Free Europe poop
would love alot more of this style, rather than that long run of Radio Free Europe poop
I really like the Michael Penn/Aimee Mann cover from the Badlands album
pclancey wrote:
And here's why I love his programming. If you hear an off-beat cover version, chances are very good that Bill lets the original have the next word. Case in point: The Beat Farmers covered Reason To Believe, and on the next track, Bruce gets back at them with Cover Me. Very nicely done, Bill.
This song exemplifies why I like Bill's programming.
And here's why I love his programming. If you hear an off-beat cover version, chances are very good that Bill lets the original have the next word. Case in point: The Beat Farmers covered Reason To Believe, and on the next track, Bruce gets back at them with Cover Me. Very nicely done, Bill.
I was at this taping and am in some of the clips' audience shots (not this particular clip, tho).
Beat Farmers did part of the most excellent sound track for the ancient computer game "Redneck Rampage", along with Mojo Nixon and Reverend Horton Heat .... The cuts only appear on the game CD so next tim eyou see one at a Yard Sale, grab it and rip those tracks.
Guitar riff from Hot Tuna's "Rollin' and a'tumblin'"
I really love the "Bigger Stones" off of this album.
It was the first song from the Beat Farmers I heard on 91X San Diego back in the day.
That station really influenced my musical taste.
I'm thankful I could get them on my sensitive FM radio in my truck and on the job site.
They helped me make a lot of money!
Piece work + great music = $
It was the first song from the Beat Farmers I heard on 91X San Diego back in the day.
That station really influenced my musical taste.
I'm thankful I could get them on my sensitive FM radio in my truck and on the job site.
They helped me make a lot of money!
Piece work + great music = $
This song exemplifies why I like Bill's programming. On a song by song basis, I may not have ever caught on to the Beat Farmers. But I heard this song of theirs first, thanks to Bill, and it remains my favorite BF song, and it lead me to acquire and enjoy most of their music. These are strong lyrics, and I definitely prefer the punch that the Beat Farmers gave this song over the original. Thank you Bill for giving me yet another band to enjoy!!!
Xeric wrote:
I'm a Springsteen fan, and—oddly perhaps—Nebraska probably has more "coverable" songs that his other albums. Some of the "Atlantic City" covers are sublime. IMHO this is because they're stripped down and don't carry the arrangement baggage of his high octane stuff; easier to chart when you don't have to account for Federici or Clarence.
I am not in general a great Springsteen fan. In fact, I don' generally see what all the fuss is about.
However.
The Nebraska album is sacred. And thou shalt not cover songs therefrom.
However.
The Nebraska album is sacred. And thou shalt not cover songs therefrom.
I'm a Springsteen fan, and—oddly perhaps—Nebraska probably has more "coverable" songs that his other albums. Some of the "Atlantic City" covers are sublime. IMHO this is because they're stripped down and don't carry the arrangement baggage of his high octane stuff; easier to chart when you don't have to account for Federici or Clarence.
So they did play "regular" music too! Hubba hubba hubba!
For a wee moment, I thought the band name was the Bean Farters. Which would be a pretty good name, IMO.
mach-hog wrote:
Exactly - Revelle College, 1989!
Man... I haven't heard this band since about '89 when I was hanging around El Toro with some friends. The band were a lot of fun. Surprised and pleased to hear them on RP after all this time. Thanks Bill/Rebecca!
Exactly - Revelle College, 1989!
Man... I haven't heard this band since about '89 when I was hanging around El Toro with some friends. The band were a lot of fun. Surprised and pleased to hear them on RP after all this time. Thanks Bill/Rebecca!
skyguy wrote:
are you buyin'?
are you drinkin' with me jesus?
are you buyin'?
Most excellent thing to crawl out from under a rock out our way!
I got this album signed but Buddy Blue (shades, center) wasn't with them anymore, so Joey Harris signed "With Love, Body Blue."
Dick signed "Thanks, Poo-poo cakes!"
Rockin' my breakfast!
Great for a Monday morning. Thanks!
planetclare wrote:
I would make an exception for the Michael Penn/Aimee Mann cover of this song...
Absolutely. In fact, that album in general is really well done as a set of covers of an otherwise sacred album.
I would make an exception for the Michael Penn/Aimee Mann cover of this song...
Absolutely. In fact, that album in general is really well done as a set of covers of an otherwise sacred album.
Xeric wrote:
I would make an exception for the Michael Penn/Aimee Mann cover of this song...
I am not in general a great Springsteen fan. In fact, I don' generally see what all the fuss is about. However. The Nebraska album is sacred. And thou shalt not cover songs therefrom.
I would make an exception for the Michael Penn/Aimee Mann cover of this song...
well put... Xeric wrote:
I am not in general a great Springsteen fan. In fact, I don' generally see what all the fuss is about. However. The Nebraska album is sacred. And thou shalt not cover songs therefrom.
ddbz wrote:
do it!
I could dance to this!...
do it!
I could dance to this!...
lmic wrote:
Per Wiki, "In 1995 Montana suffered a heart attack and died while playing 'The Girl I Almost Married' during a Beat Farmers show at the Longhorn Saloon in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada." Well, shite! And only 40, too. Oh well, there's worse ways to go, I guess.
Mojo Nixon (yeah, that Mojo Nixon!) has an afternoon show on XM radio's Outlaw Country. He was a contemporary of The Beat Farmers, X, and a bunch of the other So-Cal punk scene. He has some funny sh*t to say about ol' Country Dick. Apparently he was quite a character.
Per Wiki, "In 1995 Montana suffered a heart attack and died while playing 'The Girl I Almost Married' during a Beat Farmers show at the Longhorn Saloon in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada." Well, shite! And only 40, too. Oh well, there's worse ways to go, I guess.
Mojo Nixon (yeah, that Mojo Nixon!) has an afternoon show on XM radio's Outlaw Country. He was a contemporary of The Beat Farmers, X, and a bunch of the other So-Cal punk scene. He has some funny sh*t to say about ol' Country Dick. Apparently he was quite a character.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Per Wiki, "In 1995 Montana suffered a heart attack and died while playing 'The Girl I Almost Married' during a Beat Farmers show at the Longhorn Saloon in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada." Well, shite! And only 40, too. Oh well, there's worse ways to go, I guess.
What a great band. Long live Country Dick!
Per Wiki, "In 1995 Montana suffered a heart attack and died while playing 'The Girl I Almost Married' during a Beat Farmers show at the Longhorn Saloon in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada." Well, shite! And only 40, too. Oh well, there's worse ways to go, I guess.
spacemoose wrote:
My feelings exactly...and too bad. i do Like The Beat Farmers but hey missed the ring on this one.
Ugh. I love this song, but I don't care for this version. I actually like the music, but I don't like the disconnect between the mood of the music and the mood of the lyrics. Often I can enjoy that sort of disconnect (eg They Might be Giants), but in this case it really doesn't work for me.
My feelings exactly...and too bad. i do Like The Beat Farmers but hey missed the ring on this one.
You know, I do a pretty good version of this one too, after a few beers. Maybe I should upload it.
RIP Country Dick - we miss you.
One of my all time favorite bands. Thanks so much for brightening my day 
Haven't heard, "Boojy, Woojy" music like this since the 70's.
cool slide guit
Ugh. I love this song, but I don't care for this version. I actually like the music, but I don't like the disconnect between the mood of the music and the mood of the lyrics. Often I can enjoy that sort of disconnect (eg They Might be Giants), but in this case it really doesn't work for me.
9.
Rock solid 9.
bokey wrote:
Missed this, saw the title and thought " Holy crap- Beat Farmers doing Tim Hardin?" but it was not to be.
Now that would be something!
Missed this, saw the title and thought " Holy crap- Beat Farmers doing Tim Hardin?" but it was not to be.
Between the Beater and Mojo Nixon (both of whom I have witnessed in action several times) I would hard pressed to choose which is the moby-est.
Just love Springsteens to much,this seems to fast for the subject jmo
are you drinkin\' with me jesus?
DownHomeGirl wrote:
This is cool. I have only heard this band here...and I really like 'em.
They were a great band. My next upload will be "Hollywood Hills". What a great rockin', rootsy song that one is.
This is cool. I have only heard this band here...and I really like 'em.
I am not in general a great Springsteen fan. In fact, I don' generally see what all the fuss is about.
However.
The Nebraska album is sacred. And thou shalt not cover songs therefrom.
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
well, i guess i finally made the big time... i got an uploaded song played on paradise!
Way to go! Love that one.
well, i guess i finally made the big time... i got an uploaded song played on paradise!
What a great band. Long live Country Dick!
be nice to see them at a show with los lobos
Outlaw Country West Cruise 2022 - it was epic.