Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

About Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)

"Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" is a song written by Rodney Crowell and recorded by American country music band Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released in May 1984 as the lead single from the album, Plain Dirt Fashion. The song was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's first (of three) No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.


Year:
2004
26 
#2

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Way back in my memory there's a scene that I recall 
Of a little run-down cabin in the woods 
Where my dad never promised that our blue moon would turn gold 
But he laid awake nights wishin' that it would

When the world was on our radio, hard work was on our minds
We lived our day-to-day in plain dirt fashion
With ol' overalls and cotton balls all strapped across your back 
Man, it's hard to make believe there ain't nothing wrong

But mama kept the Bible read, and daddy kept our family fed
And somewhere in between I must have grown 
'Cause someday I was dreamin' that a song that I was singin' 
Takes me down the road to where I want to go

Now I know it's a long, hard road 
Sometimes, I remember when I stay up late at night
When the sun up came, we got up and went 
In the shadows of a working day, our moonlight hours spent 
Singin' songs along with grandma's radio

Now I'm beatin' down a ol' blacktop road, sleepin' in a sack
Livin' in my memories all in vain 
'Cause those city lights ain't all that bright, compared to what it's like 
To see lightning bugs go dancin' in the rain

Mama played the guitar then, and daddy made the saw blade bend
And raindrops played the tin roof like a drum
But I just kept on dreamin' that a song that I was singin'
Takes me down the road to where my name is known

Now I'm gone, and it's a long, hard road 
Yes, I know, it's a long, hard road

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The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded as The Dirt Band. Constant members since the early times are singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden. Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen was with the band from 1966 to 1986 and returned during 2001. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in 1977. The band is often cited as instrumental to the progression of contemporary country and roots music. more »

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Written by: RODNEY J. CROWELL

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" was released in 1984 by the band known as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Chart Success
This track was a successful hit and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, indicating its immense popularity.
Songwriter
The acclaimed singer-songwriter, Rodney Crowell had written the song. He has penned numerous hits for other artists and this song proves his songwriting expertise.
Album Fame
The song serves as the title track for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s album, "The Sharecropper's Dream". The album itself was also quite successful, reaching #6 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Theme
The song tells a story of a sharecropper's life and the struggles they faced which made it a relatable narrative for a mass audience.
Music Genre
"Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" is a classic emblem of the Country and Folk-Rock genres, showcasing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's diverse talent and musical mastery.
Band’s Prime Era
In the mid-1980s, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had an impressive run of top 10 hits on the country music charts, and “Long Hard Road” is one of those hits.
Lyrical Content
The song's lyrics portray a powerful and emotional narrative of struggle, perseverance and dream, connecting deeply with anyone who has experienced hardships in life.
Iconic Instruments
The song showcases iconic country music instruments like the guitar, banjo, and fiddle, creating a nostalgic and authentic music experience.
Veteran Band
By the time this song was released, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had already been playing music together for about two decades, demonstrating their enduring appeal and talent.

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