“Babies in the Mill” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Babies in the Mill” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Dorsey Dixon.
Tune: Dorsey Dixon.
I used to be a fact’ry hand when things were movin’ slow.
When children worked in cotton mills, each morning had to go.
Every morning just at 5:00, the whistle blew on time
And called them babies out of bed at the age of eight and nine.
Come out of bed, little sleepy head, and get you a bite to eat.
The fact’ry whistle’s calling you. There’s no time left to sleep.
The children all grew up unlearned. They never went to school.
They never learned to read or write, but they learned to spin and spool.
Every time I close my eyes, I see that picture still,
When textile work was carried on with babies in the mill.
Come out of bed, little sleepy head, and get you a bite to eat.
The fact’ry whistle’s calling you. There’s no time left to sleep.
To their jobs those little ones were strictly forced to go.
Those babies had to be on time through rain and sleet and snow.
Many times when things went wrong, their bosses often frowned.
Many times those little ones was kicked and shoved around.
Come out of bed, little sleepy head, and get you a bite to eat.
The fact’ry whistle’s calling you. There’s no time left to sleep.
Old timer, can’t you see that scene that through the years goes by?
Those babies all went on the job, the same as you and I.
I know you’re glad that things have changed, and we have lots of fun,
As we go in and do the jobs that babies used to run.
Come out of bed, little sleepy head, and get you a bite to eat.
The fact’ry whistle’s calling you. There’s no time left to sleep.