Martha walked right down to the dam,
I hoe and a shovel in either hand.
She was bound to dig for every woman and man,
And child that lay sick with fever.
The government men said, "Be our favorite sons,
Be a place of worth some where and someone.
If you drown this valley the canal boats will come."
So they drowned their lovely valley.
But the waters grew black and the sickness came.
They hung their heads in grief and shame.
Martha said, "We've only ourselves to blame."
And took up a shovel and hoe, Good Lord
She took up a shovel and hoe.
Chorus: When it's time to say enough and set things right,
The whole world is waist deep in trouble,
Never doubt or question the power of love,
Or one woman with a shovel.
Along came Elizabeth Sarah and Rose, Eva, Clara and Ruth .
They came with picks and shovels and hoes and armed with a righteous truth.
Then came Calvin, Eli and Scott, Timothy, David and Paul.
And together before sun came up they tore down the cursed wall,
They tore down the cursed wall.
Chorus
And the lake finally bled its bad blood south,
And they'd saved that ravaged land.
And not a single soul jury or judge would think to fine or jail them,
Would think to fine or jail them.
Martha walked right down to the dam.
Hoe and a shovel in either hand.
She was bound to dig for every woman and man,
And child who lay sick with fever.
Chorus
