Keep That Soil Alive

When I was a little girl my daddy said to me,
Take a look outside and tell me what you see.
And so I opened up the door and I took a look around,
But all that I saw was just the plain old ground.

My daddy said, “Now listen here, you take another look,”
Something really interesting’s down among the roots,
Where fungi and bacteria and tiny creatures hide;
We’ve gotta make sure they thrive to keep that soil alive!

Keep that soil alive! 
Keep that soil alive! 
Keep that soil alive!
Keep that soil alive!
My daddy was a tellin’ me to keep that soil alive!

These creatures are in partnership with plants we try to grow;
They cycle all the nutrients and keep them safe below;
The provide stability and support from deep inside.
You’re crops won’t be a-growin’ unless that soils alive!

The earthworms and the arthropods and roots make macropores
That help the water infiltrate to where it can be stored
If a flood or a drought ever were to arrive;
Our land is better off if that soil’s alive!

Keep that soil alive! 
Keep that soil alive! 
Keep that soil alive!
Keep that soil alive!
My daddy was a tellin’ me to keep that soil alive!

Daddy told me some folks will put it to the plow,
But that’s tearing up our earth, and I can tell you how.
It takes that good soil and just breaks it down
on a microscopic level tillin’ is killin’ that ground

He smiled and said, now keep it simple to sustain the land’s wealth
Cover crops and no till work to build soil health!
That’s as true today as it was those years ago;
If we want to feed ourselves,
We’ve got to feed our soil.

Keep that soil alive! 
Keep that soil alive! 
Keep that soil alive!
Keep that soil alive!
My daddy was a tellin’ me to keep that soil alive!