The Living Earth of New Jersey

[bnewman]

The song "The Rolling Mills of New Jersey" is affectionate in tone but basically paints NJ as an industrial wasteland. Which, sure, some of it is, but much of the state is green and growing. This song provides a counterpoint.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "The Rolling Hills of the Border" by Matt McGinn

after "The Rolling Mills of New Jersey" by John Roberts and Tony Barrand

/ G - CD G / - - - D / 1st / G - D G /

 

When I die, lay me down

Beneath the green and fertile ground —

You'll find it if you look around:

The living earth of New Jersey!

 

Behind this mall, there is a swamp

Where herons stalk and bullfrogs romp;

Some even say giant reptiles stomp

Deep in the swamps of New Jersey!

 

When I die, lay me down...

 

There are some pinewoods over thar

Where animal voices cry out near and far.

The devil if I know what they all are —

The animals of New Jersey!

 

When I die, lay me down...

 

If you walk along the shore,

You can hear the ocean roar —

Just pray it don't rise and cover o'er

The shining sands of New Jersey!

 

When I die, lay me down...

 

Now, lately some have spoken ill:

They say this place is one great, big landfill,

But that shit never happened until

White folks took over New Jersey!

 

Still, I believe it's not too late —

We can heal this land, and put food on our plates!

There's a reason it's called the Garden State:

The vegetables of New Jersey!

 

So, when I die, lay me down...