Aragon Mill (Weave and Spin)

Si Khan is a really fantastic writer of songs, although this was written in America it reminds me of the northern cotton and wool mills around the North of England, especially in Lancashire and West Yorkshire. If I remember righly I first heard this song played by Planxty years ago and basically learnt that version, although I did hear Si Khan play this song a couple of years ago in a folk festival somewhere, it was magical to hear the original song writer sing the original song. A unique first hand experience.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• acoustic
• song
• guitar
• playing
• fingerstyle:

[jhankri]

This reminded me of my auction acquaintance whose gran was "sold" to the mill (her words). I asked her to clarify and she explained that as a young girl after being orphaned and shunted about, the mill became her benefactor, providing board, etc.....she was little more than endentured servant with no hope of escape from circumstance and drudgery.......a too familiar ongoing story....sad really.....this song is a perfect backdrop to her story

[ichingiching]

it seems to me that mills all around the world were very much like that especially if you were unfortunate to be orphaned..even those who were not had little security..more often or not, housing went with the job and if you lost you job (for any reason) you also lost your home..even if you were a family man. However there were exceptions.. not far from me in Bradford is Salts Mill..(a designated world heritage site) where Titus Salt built a whole village to house and educate his mill workers..

[ichingiching]

it seems to me that mills all around the world were very much like that especially if you were unfortunate to be orphaned..even those who were not had little security..more often or not, housing went with the job and if you lost you job (for any reason) you also lost your home..even if you were a family man. However there were exceptions.. not far from me in Bradford is Salts Mill..(a designated world heritage site) where Titus Salt built a whole village to house and educate his mill workers..

[vamimi1]

I was born in and lived in Aragon from 1940 to 1950. I recall my father being a passionate "union shop steward" and being on the picket line when there were strikes. The odd thing was that my grandfather, daddy's dad was a foreman in the very same mill. The mill really did own the very soul of the workers, providing the housing, company store, public school and playgrounds. A good deal, right? NO.. There was no take home pay at the end of the week. How could one ever have a life..

[ichingiching]

Hi vamimi. Thats a really lovely note.. yes its a thought .. has anything really changed.. 1940.. 1840? 2040?

[growingvegetable]

Lovely guitar, superb voice

And pure magic for transposing it to Calderdale.

[ichingiching]

there are many old wool mills still around in these parts...alas non working... :)

[ichingiching]

thats very kind conas.. thank you.. M:)

[7conas7]

wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­

[ichingiching]

many thanks .. m