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Women of Dundee (lyrics)
Sheena Wellington wrote this brilliant song, telling us of the lives of mill workersin Dundee. Women were often the main breadwinners, as the jute mills requiredfine work and small nimble fingers. In addition the mill owners could maximisetheir profits, as up until the late 20th Century women were paid less for the samework.
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The Wailin’ o; the bummer and the clackin’ o’ the looms,
Brought the wimmin o’ Dundee oot o’ their beds
And they walked tae mills and factories
And they wrought fae seven tae five
And the wimmen kept the bairns o’ Dundee fed.
1) Noo my mither an’ ma granny an’ my aunties yin an’ a’
Went tae the looms the day they left the squel
They didnae work for freedom, independance or the rest
The jist worked tae get some kitchen for the kale.
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2) Noo the rhythm o’ their livin’ was the clackin’ o’ the looms
Their youth an’ health and strength was lost to Jade
But the weavers and the spinners and the winders o’ Dundee
Had a spirit that the hard times never bate.
Chorus
3) Noo you may boast o’ noble lineage and sing o’ yer Highland clan
And hale some gallant chief wha shares yer name,
But ma line’s as guid as any and I’m proud tae say
It was frae a Dundee weaver that I came.
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