The song "Pray For Rain" by Cody Johnson tells the story of a farmer and his struggles with debt and the lack of rainfall in his fields. The lyrics paint a picture of a five-year-old observing his father's hardship and the adverse conditions their land faces year after year. The song begins by highlighting the financial difficulties faced by the family, with debt growing in the fields. The father's love is evident as he says goodnight to his son and prays for rain, hoping for a solution to their troubles. As the story progresses, it reveals that the situation worsens as the summer progresses. The father's pride is shattered as he informs the mother about his decision to visit the bank. Despite his efforts, he is only offered money and advised to pray for rain. The lyrics describe the bleakness of the situation, with no clouds to hide the scorching sun and no water in the creeks. The congregation at the church is fearful and the preacher encourages them to pay their tithes and pray for rain, emphasizing the desperate need for a miracle. Time passes, and the narrator now owns the land that once belonged to his father. However, things have changed drastically, with urban development encroaching on the farmland, leaving no room to grow crops. The bank manager, who doesn't experience the same hardships, fails to understand the narrator's pain. The song concludes by reiterating the struggles described at the beginning. The narrator reflects on his childhood memories of burnt fields and his father's nightly prayers for rain. The repetition of this image signifies the perpetuation of circumstances and the ongoing need for divine intervention.
