The Old Family Farm
By Dr. Ryan Johnston
Verse 1
It’s stood where it is at the edge of the town
For many a year before we came around
There’s a creek and a hill with a big open field
The milk cows are happy, there’s plenty of yield
The farmhouse is more than a century old
But the barn goes back even further I’m told
It was the picture of living when living was fine
The old family farm in the best of it’s time
Verse 2:
They took his front pasture and made it a school
And a new civic center with a big indoor pool
Then the hospital needed someplace to build
So he sold them that hill with the big open field
The farmhouse was full of family to hold
While the barn still kept animals out of the cold
It was the picture of living when living was fine
The old family farm sitting frozen in time
Verse 3:
The years kept on coming the kids were all grown
Then his wife passed away and left him alone
He took his last breath in the town he helped build
At the hospital out in his big open field
The farmhouse caught fire and burned to the ground
But the barn still stood watching over the town
It was the picture of living when living was fine
The old family farm almost gone for all time
Verse 4
The hospital bought what was left for the land
And cleaned it all up where an office will stand
Perhaps it is better if people are healed
In a new doctor’s office they put in that field
The farm is all gone now and the barn’s coming down
But it going back up somewhere outside of town
It’s the picture of living when living was fine
The old family farm thrust back into its prime!
Artist Bio:
Dr. Ryan Johnston has applied his artistic talents in the areas of photography, miniature assemblage, and chainsaw carving. Working primarily through private sales and commissions, numerous pieces have been shown and awarded first in their category in regional Veterans Administration art competitions. Dr. Johnston draws inspiration from his family in addition to his experiences as an Air Force veteran and chiropractic physician.
To see more of Dr. Johnston’s work on this project, you can visit www.thejohnstoncenter.com
