My last query was solved so quickly, I've got another one that I'm hoping for some help with, from the same collection (Marjorie Lansing Porter's field recordings, northeastern NY State, circa 1946).

Mrs Porter titled the song "The Factory Boy", and collected the following text from Mrs Lily Delorme of Cadyville NY, who sang it to a pretty compelling tune. I can't find any reference to this, and the factory part doesn't necessarily square with his not being free.

THE FACTORY BOY

The very first time I saw my love
She was dreaming of ......
Her hair was black and all up on her head
And her eyes, they were just as black as jet

CHORUS: Rally-Right-Foll-Oh, Rally-Right-Foll-Ay

Then down to Cadmonton I did go
Till ........................
I love that girl as I love my life
And what would I give if she'd be my wife

CHORUS

Oh stop your noise, you foolish boy
To love a girl you cannot find joy
She has got sweethearts, some two or three
And she will be married before you're free

CHORUS

Oh never mind that, I will go and see
Perhaps that she may fancy me
Perhaps that she may fancy me
Oh from the factory, I'm not yet free

CHORUS

I bought gold rings and jewels too
And straightway to my love did go
In taking them she was in no way shy
And she really married her factory boy

CHORUS

I'll build a castle, I'll build it high
No one shall live there but my child and I
When he comes home, I will wish him joy
And I'll kiss the lips of my factory boy

CHORUS