Emmylou Harris - Millworker Lyrics






Now my grandfather was a sailor,
He blew in off the water
My father was a farmer
I, his only daughter,
Took up with a no-good millworking man from Massachusetts
Who dies from too much whiskey
And leaves me these three faces to feed

Millwork ain't easy; mill-work ain't hard
Millwork, it ain't nothing but an awful boring job
I'm waiting for a day dream
To take me through the morning
And put me in my coffee break
Where I can have a sandwich and remember

Then it's me and my machine
For the rest of the morning
For the rest of the afternoon
And the rest of my life

Now my mind begins to wander
To the days back on the farm
I can see my father smiling at me,
Swingin' on his arm
I can hear my grand-dad's stories
Of the storms out on Lake Erie
Where vessels and cargos and fortunes
And sailor's lives were lost

Yes, but it's my life has been wasted,
And I have been the fool
To let this manufacture use my body for a tool.
I can ride home in the evening,
Staring at my hands
Swearing by my sorrow that a young girl
Ought to stand a better chance

So may I work the mills
Just as long as I am able
And never meet the man whose
Name is on the label

It be me and my machine
For the rest of the morning
For the rest of the afternoon
And the rest of my life





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Emmylou Harris Millworker Comments
  1. I.... ....

    I just heard today my sweet brother, Kerry, passed away in his sleep last night, September 5, 2019. This song was one he liked to listen when he drove double gas tankers for Texaco all over Washington State, delivering product. Kerry was a kind, sweet, dearheart, gentleman. He was quiet, funny, handsome, and I loved him ever since my mom brought him home from the hospital back in December of 1953....I was going on 1 years old but I still knew I had a new little brother to love and cater to. We grew up very close, enjoying a lot of the same things such as cars, car racing (Formula and Nascar)...and all the old cars too....he especially loved Aston Martins and little bug sprites....he restored one back to it's original shape and loved that little blue car so much. We would go out to Seattle International Raceway and watch the antique car races as well as all the others. He adored and took care of our mom until she passed...he was with her the day she closed her eyes and left...but she hung on all day until he could get to the hospital ... he got to say goodbye to her. He moved to Florida 2 years ago to live by another brother and our 2 older sisters....retired and lived quietly until he wandered away in his sleep last night. I wish I could give him one more hug, hear him tell me one more story, listen to his laugh and see his smile...he never married, never had a child, but OH how the ladies loved him!! I love him and will until I see him again....Please, God, take good care of this good man, keep him in your grace and help him move thru this change so he can know he is loved by YOU and that all my family, in heaven and here, love him. You left me before I could give you a hug, KerFran,....so please, when you get settled, please come thru and give me a quiet hug and my kitty, Kira, a little pat on her head...she has been grieving all day with me...and I know she understands what has happened....she woke me early this morning around 3am, meowing and I couldn't understand why...or why the room had turned so very cold...so maybe you did wander thru on your way...if it was you, thank you and many gentle hugs sweet man...oh, I called your best friend, Arthur, and your old boss, Cliff...I'm sure they will say their goodbyes in their own way....I love you, little brother, remember that....till I see ya around God's raceway....smile...








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  2. o.... ....

    2017 not CD !.

  3. C.... S....

    I love this song. So so much. A GEM.

  4. M.... J....

    i miss you, kerry....my brother, my best friend...i looked all over Seattle to find this album so you could have this song...i hope you remember that when you are mulling over how much you are unhappy with me just now....today, 12/14, is your birthday...62 years young...i hope when you are free again, or if you read this, you will know how much i loved and cared about you. I am moving out of the state and away from the U.S.......you will always be in my heart...get and STAY well.....meri

  5. C.... N....

    A great time for Emmylou, both this out takes and the huge Roses...always loved this album just as much.

  6. a.... c....

    I love the song and it is wonderful to hear the beautiful voice of Emmylou Harris singing it so well. It is a song from the first Emmylou Harris album I ever bought somewhere between 1983 and1985, in a second-hand record shop in Harare, Zimbabwe, and I've loved her voice and songs ever since then. A beautiful performance of a haunting and wistful song.
    My late father also loved this particular song from the album as well. So we were both big fans of hers.

  7. K.... ....

    @TheJailbirdy

    Emmylou does a great job, however, my favorite version of this song is Bette Midler's!

  8. T.... E....

    YES i kNOW AND ALSO tHRTEEN, BUT WE ARE MISSING THE REMASTER VERSONS AND CD....
    HOPEFULLY THERE IS A PLAN ON GLIDING BIRD AS WELL

  9. K.... ....

    @TheMorewood

    If you go to Amazon.com's MP3 Music Store, you can find this entire album and "Thirteen" available for download. :)

  10. T.... E....

    Great song . written by James Taylor... sad this album is not on cd yet


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