BABIES IN THE MILL
(Dorsey Dixon)

I used to work in factories when things was moving slow,
When babies worked in cotton mills, each morning had to go;
Every morning just at five the whistle blew on time
To call them babies out of bed at the age of eight and nine

CHORUS
Get out of bed, you sleepy heads
Get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you
There's no more time to sleep

To their jobs those little ones was strictly forced to go
They had to be at work 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.
CHORUS

Our children they grew up unlearned, they never went to school
They never learned to read and write, they learned to spin and spool
Many times I close my eyes and see that picture still
When the textile work was carried out by babies in the mill
CHORUS

Old timer can't you see that scene way back in years to come
When babies had to go to work the same as you and I
Aren't you glad that things have changed and we have lots of fun
As we go in and do the jobs that babies used to run.
CHORUS


Babies In the Mill
"Babies In The Mill" was first recorded, by Dorsey, on an album of the same title on Testament records, 3301, in 1965. (Archie Green and Eugene Earl, producers; Pete Welding, owner) Joe Glaser also recorded it on his album "Textile Voices," Collector Records #1922, rec.1970.

Source: Sing Out! Magazine, Volume 29, Number 3 (1983)-back cover

Also in the Rise Up Singing Songbook, page 253

I'll type up a MIDI if somebody asks.

Dorsey Dixon recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80CBggcgq0w

Joe Glazer recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUNieElQMDw