Natalie Merchant Lyrics

Album: The House Carpenter's Daughter

Owensboro Lyrics

Well, I lived in a town

 Way down south

 By the name of Owensboro

 And I worked in a mill

 With the rest of the "trash" 

 As we're often called

 As you know 

 

 Well, we rise up early

 In the morning

 And we work all day real hard

 To buy our little meat and bread

 Buy sugar, tea, and lard 

 

 Well, our children

 Grow up unlearned

 With no time to go to school

 Almost before they learn to walk

 They learn to spin and spoon 

 

 Well, the folks in town

 They dress so fine

 And spend their money free

 But they would hardly look

 At a factory hand

 Who dresses like you or me 

 

 Would you let them wear

 Their watches fine

 Let them wear their gems

 And pearly strings 

 

 But when that day

 Of judgement comes

 They'll have to share

 Their pretty things