Thanks for all of the input. The "bustle" referenced does seem more 19th c. The part that puzzled me was the woman as "chief engineer". I couldn't figure it out, although a "shirt-tail factory" makes this even more nonsensical.

This is the only verse I ever heard her sing. She likely learned it from friends - her parents didn't speak English and I don't think they had a phonograph at home. It was about as daring as my grandmother ever got - but her eyes would twinkle when she sang the last verse.