McGrath, I always thought the blue skies referred to the drought (ie. Dust Bowl) - no rain, no farm. I could be wrong ... I was going to mention this one, too, but couldn't for the life of me, remember how the hymn goes. I grew up on the "I'm a Bum" version and had a shock when I first heard it in church as a hymn! Had a very stern look from Mum, warning me not to DARE sing the words I knew ...sian