Topic: Wilmer Watts and the Lonely Eagles Lyrics

[banjochris]

If I could offer an alternative, I don't think it's "Only 8 months'll get you" – I think it's "Policemans'll get you" – he just swallows the P somewhat.
Chris

[Johnm]

Huh, I hear it now, Chris, thanks.  And it is more right down the line in terms of making sense.  Thanks!

[catyron]

[And] you go to the table, it's the same old thing <Corrected word

[Lignite]

I happen to own an original copy of this particular song. It has all of the flaws of Paramount 78s but is particularly disappointing in that it was recorded at such a low volume that it is very hard to listen to over the surface noise.

[banjochris]

Was listening to an old favorite today and thought I'd post a transcription – it's "Cotton Mill Blues" by Wilmer Watts and the Lonely Eagles.



I've always had trouble with some of the words in this one, mostly because Watts sings quite loudly and then trails off, I don't think the mics of the time were great at dealing with that. Doing a little research (by which I mean Googling) I found it was based on a poem called "A Factory Rhyme," which admittedly helped me with the lyrics a bit. I still am not sure how Watts ends the first verse – he's clearly not singing the line in the poem. You can read the poem here: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=52118

This has maybe a unique chord progression in old-time music? Closest I can think of is Frank Hutchison's "Old Rachel." It's I-VI-V–I for the verse, then IV-I-V-I for the chorus. Played in I think D on the guitar, with Watts in "standard" banjo tuning gCGBD capoed or tuned up. I've also played this in f#DF#AD tuning ("Reuben" tuning) on the banjo as well.

Any suggestions/corrections most welcome.

While I have leisure time,
Try and sing a cotton mill rhyme,
Live in Belmont, a lousy [just possibly "lively"] town
Work in a mill to drive folks 'round.

(chorus)
Got the cotton mill blues,
Got the cotton mill blues,
Got the cotton mill blues,
On my mind.

Perhaps you'd like to know my name,
You never will, I don't sing for fame,
Sing to let all the classes know,
How a cotton mill man has to go.

(chorus)

We have hard times, we all well know,
To church we never get to go,
When the sabbath comes, we are tired down,
From working hard the whole week 'round.

(chorus)

Uptown people called us trash,
Say we never have no cash,
That is why the people fret
Call us the ign'ant factory set.

(chorus)

Education we have none,
Papa, mama, daughter or son,
That is why the people fret,
Call us the ign'ant factory set.

(chorus)

PS the best sound quality for this number is on the Gastonia Gallop album but I didn't see that on YouTube.

Edited 2/12/24 with correction from JohnM

[Rivers]

Perhaps you'd like to know my name,
You never will, I don't sing for fame,
Sing to let all the classes know,
How a cotton mill man has to go.

Yep Chris that's got a lot going on in it for it for sure. I like the I-IV-V 12 bar after the classic ragtime start, might have to try that myself

[Stuart]

Was listening to an old favorite today and thought I'd post a transcription – it's "Cotton Mill Blues" by Wilmer Watts and the Lonely Eagles...

PS the best sound quality for this number is on the Gastonia Gallop album but I didn't see that on YouTube.

Hi Chris: This one says it's taken from the Old Hat release:



FWIW: I also have it on Bob Carlin's, "North Carolina Banjo Collection." (Rounder) The Old Hat and Rounder reissues sound like they are from the same 78.

[Johnm]

Hi Chris,
For that tagline to the first verse, I'm hearing something like:

   Work in a mill, to drive folks 'ROUND

 See what you think.

[banjochris]

I think "round" is better than what I have, John! The original poem has something like "work in a mill by the name of Crown."

Stuart, thanks for the better YouTube link – I have it on Gastonia Gallop, the Carlin record, the Paramount Old-Time on JSP and I think the first time I heard it was on a Rounder record I have on cassette – Poor Man, Rich Man, which has a lot of good stuff on it. It's worth reissuing!
Chris