A Piecer's Tale Songtext
von The Oldham Tinkers

Good master, let a little child
A piecer in your factory
From early morn to dewy eve
Relate a simple history

Before I came to work for you
My heart was full of mirth and glee
I played and laughed and ran about
No kitten was so blithe as me

When at the age of six years old
Poor mother pressed with want and woe
Took me one morning by the hand
And said "t′the factory thou must go"

They thrust me in and shut the door
Midst rattling wheels and noisy din
And in the frame gate made me stand
To learn the trade of piecing then


I often hurt my little hands
And made my tender fingers bleed
When piecing threads and stopping flies
And I thought it was hard indeed

The overlooker passed me oft'
And when he cried, "An end down there!"
My little heart did tremble so
I almost fell with fear

When at the weary evening′s close
I could not keep myself awake
He sometimes strapped me 'til I cried
As if my little heart would break

Oh, master did you know the huff
That we endure to gain you gold?
Your heart might tremble for the day
When that sad tale must be told

They say that you grow very rich
By little piecers such as me
And that you're going to parliament
To guard our laws and liberties


Oh, when you′re there, remember us
While at your frames, we labor still
And give your best support and aid
To Sadler′s Ten Hours Bill