“The Mill Mother’s Song” Sheet Music (pdf).
“The Mill Mother’s Song” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Ella Mae Wiggins.
Tune: “Little Mary Phagan.”
We leave our homes in the morning.
We kiss our children goodbye.
While we slave for the bosses,
Our children scream and cry.
And when we draw our money
Our grocery bills to pay,
Not a cent to spend for clothing,
Not a cent to lay away.
And on that very evening
Our little son will say,
“I need some shoes, dear mother,
And so does sister, May.”
How it grieves the heart of a mother—
You—everyone—must know—
But we can’t buy for our children:
Our wages are too low.
It is for our little children
That seem to us so dear
But for us nor them, dear workers,
The bosses do not care.
But understand, all workers,
Our union they do fear.
Let’s stand together, workers,
And have a union here.
Now, listen to me, workers,
Both women and men,
We are sure to win our union
If all would enter in.
I hope this will be a warning.
I hope you’ll understand,
And help us win our vict’ry,
And lend to us a hand.