In the heat of July
While bringing in the hay
He gave her a baling wire ring,
And this is what he had to say....

"Someday I'll put a diamond
Here upon your hand
A diamond as pure and perfect
As sure as I'm your man.

But you know, a diamond,
It won't ever shine
As bright or as long
As this love of yours and mine".

So they saved for her diamond
Fixed the tractor and bought a plow
And in the dead of winter,
Paid the vet bill for the cow.

The money for her diamond
Got water to the barn
And paid the increased taxes
The county levied on the farm.

The money for her diamond
Paid the doctor in town
And when their children were all grown
It bought the wedding gowns.

It paid for the new roof
When the big wind came through
Then it paid off the mortgage,
Before it came due.

The money for her diamond
Was always well spent,
She never even asked him
Just where the money went.

The money for her diamond
Helped them to survive,
The money for her diamond
Kept their hopes and dreams alive.

Today it's been fifty-four years
And the diamond is on her hand
But, as usual, in her pocket,
Lies her original wedding band.

A twist of baling wire
Bent and covered up in rust
A symbol of the greatest of loves
His Promise and Her Trust.