Food Fair

Unpublished

From all across the state of Tennessee
Farmers bring their goods to town
And they sell their food in church parking lots
And they get a price that’s fair

Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
Food Fair
Don’t need no middleman
Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
They work together hand in hand, oh Lord
Working together hand in hand

People they come from miles around
To be with the farmers there
To be with the people who belong to the church
Who just organized a bake sale

Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
Food Fair
Don’t need no middleman
Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
They work together hand in hand, oh Lord
Working together hand in hand

The big money people at first didn’t mind
When the farmers first came to town
‘Till they saw all the people coming everyday
Buying food for less than retail

So, they called up the Mayor and the Health Inspector
They talked about the zoning law
Saying, “Food being sold out in the open
It must surely be against the law.”

Letters they came from miles around
Addressed to the City Hall
Reminding the Mayor that it just might be best
He better not outlaw

Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
Food Fair
Don’t need no middleman
Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
They work together hand in hand, oh Lord
Working together hand in hand

The mayor decided it just might be best
To leave well enough alone
Cause after all what could be wrong
With food that is home grown

Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
Food Fair
Don’t need no middleman
Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
They work together hand in hand, oh Lord
Working together hand in hand

There’s a new day a coming; it’s not far off
From sea to shining sea
In every city, town, and state
They’ll be a Food Fair for you and for me

Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
Food Fair
Don’t need no middleman
Food Fair
Where the farmers and the people
They work together hand in hand, oh Lord
Working together hand in hand

Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 1978; Renewed 2025 | BMI

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