Thanks, Ian --

I didn't know about the lord of the manor's mills. I've bought a modern English "Canterbury Tales," and it's next on my list -- ought to have read 'em long ago anyway.

While we're picking apart this song, I want to see if my understanding of the plot is correct.

When the miller is drowned and the weaver is hanged, it's because they've been caught, and they're being punished, right; they're not committing suicide? (the passive voice is ambiguous) So when the devil scoops up the weaver, and he ends up "skipping through hell," are we to understand this as a better fate than that that met the other rogues -- that is, is he a favo[u]rite of Lucifers, skipping around down there? Or is he, too, being punished for his thievery?

How's that for 'satiable curtiosity?

While I'm at it, Ian, what's your full name, so I can mention where I got the words I've learned to the song?

cheers,

Chris