One Woman and a Shovel Songtext
von Carrie Newcomer

Martha walked right down to the dam
A hoe and a shovel in either hand
She was bound to dig for every woman and man
And child who lay sick with fever

The government men said be our favorite sons
Be a place of worth somewhere someone
If you drown this valley the canal boats come
So they drowned their lovely valley

But the waters grew black and the sickness came
They hung their heads with grief and shame
And Martha said we′ve only ourselves to blame
And took up a shovel and hoe Good Lord
Took up a shovel and hoe

When it's time to say enough and set things right
The whole world is waist deep in trouble
Never doubt or question the power of love
Or one woman with a shovel


Along came Elizabeth Sarah and Rose Eva Clara and Ruth
They came with picks and shovels and hoes
And armed with a righteous truth
Joined by Calvin Eli and Scott Timothy David and Paul
And together before the sun came up they tore down the cursed wall
Yes Yes tore down the cursed wall

When it′s time to say enough and set things right
The whole world is waist deep in trouble
Never doubt or question the power of love
Or one woman with a shovel

And the lake finally bled its bad blood south
And they'd saved that ravaged land
And not a single soul jury or judge would think to fine or jail them
No no think to fine or jail them

Martha walked right down to the dam
Hoe and a shovel in either hand
She was bound to dig for every woman and man
And child who lay sick with fever

When it's time to say enough and set things right
The whole world is waist deep in trouble
Never doubt or question the power of love
Or one woman with a shovel
Never doubt or question the power of love
Or one woman with a shovel