COTTON MILL COLIC
As recorded by David McCarn, 1930.

A North Carolina musician who had considerable experience as a textile worker. McCarn recorded the song for Victor in Memphis Tennessee 19 May 1930.

When you buy clothes on easy terms,
The collectors treat you like measly worms.
One dollar down, and then, Lord knows,
If you don't make a payment, they'll take your clothes.
When you go to bed, you can't sleep.
You owe so much at the end of the week.
No use to colic; they're all that way,
Peckin' at your door 'till they get your pay.
I'm a-gonna starve; ever'body will
'Cause you can't make a livin' at a cotton mill.

When you go to work, you work like the devil.
At the end of the week, you're not on the level.
Payday comes; you pay your rent.
When you get through, you've not got a cent
To buy fatback meat, pinto beans.
Now and then, you get turnip greens.
No use to colic; we're all that way.
Can't get the money to move away.
I'm a-gonna starve; ever'body will,
'Cause you can't make a livin' at a cotton mill.

Twelve dollars a week is all we get.
How in the heck can I live on that?
I got a wife and fourteen kids.
We all have to sleep on two bedsteads.
Patches on my britches, holes in my hat,
Ain't had a shave since the wife got fat.
No use to colic; ever' day at noon,
The kids get to cryin' in a different tune.
I'm a-gonna starve; ever'body will,
'Cause you can't make a livin' at a cotton mill.

They run for a few days and then they stand,
Just to keep down the workin' man.
We can't make it; we never will,
As long as we stay at a lousy mill.
The poor are gettin' poorer; the rich are gettin' rich.
If I don't starve, I'm a son of a gun.
No use to colic; no use to rave.
We'll never rest till we're in our grave.
I'm a-gonna starve [or] nobody will,
'Cause you can't make a livin' at a cotton mill.