Simple Ben Songtext
von John J. Francis

Walkin′ on a dusty road in the countryside at ease
I heard a song driftin' on the gently blowin′ breeze
Sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all

A barrow pushed by a little man, came rollin' from the west
He sang this song as he stepped along until we drew abreast
Well, hello, there my friend, I see you're on the road here just like me
Why don′t we stop and rest a while and I′ll boil a pot of tea?
Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all

He said his name was Simple Ben but not for what I'd believe
Christened by the way he thought and not the way he lived
I′ve seen the best and worst that we have here on our earth
And finally decided on the things that I give worth
Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all


I asked if he had seen the great jets fly across the sky
He said he'd seen the smallest bird learnin′ how to fly
Have you seen the bridges stretched across the bays?
I've seen the smallest fish alive dyin′ in the haze

Have you seen the massive buildin's reached towards the sun?
I've seen the fields of barrenness from the work that man has done
What about the dams and weirs that feed the countryside?
I′ve seen the brownness of the grass when the dams and weirs run
Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all

What about the fertile lands where nothin′ once would grow?
I've seen the lands to the north and south under tons of ice and snow
Have you seen the jungle so thick that a man can′t go?
I've seen a farmer plough a field with nothin′ but a hoe
You must admit that the motor was a boon to all mankind
The air is sweeter here than a hundred miles behind

Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all


What about the time we save to go from place to place?
I've seen me life go by so fast, scarce recall a face
You must′ve learned a lot by now about your fellow man
I've seen the waves that break upon the beaches made of sand
What about the beauty of great art that men have done?
I've seen the shapes of mountains up against the mornin′ sun

Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all

Ben, do you believe in God and the words that preachers pray?
I′ve seen myself in a still calm pool and I've heard a donkey bray
Don′t you need the tender warmth of a lady in your bed?
I used to know a pretty one that liked the stars above her head

Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all

Friend, thank you for your company but I must be on my way
The road is growin' shorter as the sun sets on my day
Perhaps we′ll meet again some time to rest and share some tea
If you hear this song when you're walkin′ along you're gonna know who it's gonna be

Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all
Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all

Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, you give me all
Just give me sunshine through the autumn, sweet snow to the spring
Corn by the water of an old mill stream, and you give me all, oh, you give me all

Eh, give me all
Oh, give me all