I used this song for over 20 years as a way to show students studying colonial times how different those times were from ours. First I sang the song. Then I asked 'em if they knew what a weaver, miller and tailor were ? What did all 3 do to earn their living ? Today, where would you go to get flower, cloth, a new suit of clothes ? Finally, I'd ask if they knew anyone who was named Weaver or Tailor or Miller ? And we'd talk about how people once took/got their names from what they did for a living---Cartwright, Wheelwright, Tay(i)lor, Smith, Miller etc.

Just reading between the lines reveals tons of basic information.

Art Thieme