Em
John Svenson was a farmer
A
He grew the Minnesota wheat
C
He rode there with his daughter
Bm D
High upon the thresher's seat
Em
They broke down on the hillside
A
The radiator spitting steam
C
Went back to get the tool box
Bm D
So they could fix the old machine
[Chorus]
Em A
With a turn of the wrench, and a twist of the screw
C Bm D
We can fix the tractor, we can make it like new
[Verse]
Em
But that day they got a letter
A
That said the power lines would come
C
Right across their farmland
Bm D
Right across the setting sun
Em
So they gathered all the family
A
And talked late into the night
C
We cannot let them do this
Bm D
We've got to put up one hell of a fight
[Chorus]
Em A
With a turn of the wrench (turn of the wrench) , and a twist of the screw (twist of the screw)
C Bm D
We'll apply a little pressure,(apply a little pressure) and we'll see what that will do
[Verse]
Em
So they phoned one hundred farmers
A
And drove to the Twin Cities
C
Met there with the Governor
Bm D
And they sued the utility
Em
But after writing all the letters
A
And paying all the legal costs
C
To the power of the city
Bm D
Once again the farmers lost
[Bridge]
C D Em
And in the still of the evening the wind is all you hear
C D Em
I watch the waves on the wheat fields alone
C D Em
I walk the furrows of earth I plant year after year
C D Em
This is stolen land (this is stolen land) this is their home (this is their home)
[Verse]
Em
So they met there at the tavern
A
But there wasn't much to say
C Bm D
The power lines may come, but they will not stay
[Chorus]
Em A
With a turn of the wrench (turn of the wrench), and a twist of the screw (twist of a screw)
C Bm D
What was once put together (once put together), we can easily undo
[Verse]
Em
With bandannas on their faces
A
Careful not to make sound
C
They loosened all the bolts
Bm D
That held the towers to the ground
Em A
And several weeks later, with nobody around
C Bm D
The Minnesota wind blew tower after tower down
[Chorus]
Em A
With a turn of the wrench (turn of the wrench), and a twist of the screw (twist of a screw)
C Bm D
What was once put together (once put together), we can easily undo
[Bridge]
C D Em
And in the still of the evening the wind is all you hear
C D Em
I watch the waves on the wheat fields alone
C D Em
I walk the furrows of earth I plant year after year
C D Em
This is stolen land (this is stolen land) this is their home (this is their home)