Songwriter (credits consistently not included on UA-cam) was Si Kahn. About a mill in Aragon, Georgia built in 1898, and survived for another century as a place of manufacturing of various textile products. It burned to the ground in 2002, but the proud smokestack still stands.
Truly wonderful original song, sung by a magnificent singer - what's not to like!! Of course the multi-talented group of musicians and singers make the whole performance even greater than the sum of these mighty constituent parts! I was lucky enough to see & hear Karen sing this live at the transatlantic sessions concert in Glasgow just a few months before the programs came out on the BBC! Like others below this was my favourite performance of the whole series 6!
At the east end of town at the foot of the hill, there‘s a chimney so tall it says Aragon Mill. But there‘s no smoke at all comin’ out of it’s stack, since the mill has shut down it‘s never coming back. And the only tune I hear is the sound of the wind, as she blows through the town weave and spin, weave and spin There's no children playin‘ in the dark narrow streets, since the mill has shut down, it's so quiet that I can't sleep. The mill has shut down, but it's the only life I know tell me, what will I do, tell me, where will I go? And the only tune I hear is the sound of the wind, as she blows through the town weave and spin, weave and spin. I'm too old to work, and I'm too young to die. Tell me, where will I go now, my family and I? There‘s no use anymore for these cotton mills it seems but the sound of the loom still haunts my dreams.
I didn't see anybody credit the writer, Si Kahn. He wrote it in the early 70's, and then a few years later Seldom Scene picked it up and made it a bluegrass classic.
Here in the Midlands of South Carolina also. Dozens of mills moved over seas, leaving thousands unemployed. The milltowns supplied everything to these poor people. Schools for their children, churches, homes and jobs. For generations that is all those families knew and how were they paid for their loyalty? They showed up for work, only to find the gates of the mills chained and locked. Many are dead now but many still live, never having been able to find employment elsewhere. The mills were, literally, the only life they knew and there is no training or help for them here. It's a tragic, heartbreaking story and I have always wondered why the news people have never done a documentary about it. We always hear about the people who live in the coal mining towns but you never hear about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, who dedicated their lives to the cotton mills. The health problems they have are just horrible.
Karen Matheson - I'll finally get to Scotland next year, 2019. Is your kettle on? God, how I'd love to have a cuppa with you. My surname is Irish but I am Scottish through and through. I'll bring biscuits!
Is it just me but I would never praise another version on another musicians rendition. If I had nothing to say about this version then I would say nothing.
@@KennethWilliamElkington then to do that I would have praised both renditions highlighting that I appreciate Karen however there may be another version worth listening x
Great song and fantastic performance…however the lyrics were not accurate in the tale of Aragon Mill as the mill of that name in fact did reopen under new ownership at about the time the song was composed. Doesn’t change anything….just an interesting anecdote.
Absolutely beautiful version sung and played. Lovely to see MCC melody on this one. Transatlantics were and are very special performances. 🇨🇦 🍁
Songwriter (credits consistently not included on UA-cam) was Si Kahn. About a mill in Aragon, Georgia built in 1898, and survived for another century as a place of manufacturing of various textile products. It burned to the ground in 2002, but the proud smokestack still stands.
As soon as the instruments came in it was impossible not to shed a tear. Wonderful singing and such exquisite playing.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever ♥️🏴
I hope Mr. Kahn has heard this version of his classic. Beautiful!
Truly wonderful original song, sung by a magnificent singer - what's not to like!! Of course the multi-talented group of musicians and singers make the whole performance even greater than the sum of these mighty constituent parts!
I was lucky enough to see & hear Karen sing this live at the transatlantic sessions concert in Glasgow just a few months before the programs came out on the BBC!
Like others below this was my favourite performance of the whole series 6!
If i wrote a song i would love to play at transatlantic sessions. Cream of the crop...
I've found this song but called Belfast Mill. It's the same song. Love how these folk do it.
Shivers down my spine, this is so sad and so beautiful
stunningly sad and beautiful...
At the east end of town at the foot of the hill, there‘s a chimney so tall it says Aragon Mill.
But there‘s no smoke at all comin’ out of it’s stack, since the mill has shut down it‘s never coming back.
And the only tune I hear is the sound of the wind,
as she blows through the town weave and spin, weave and spin
There's no children playin‘ in the dark
narrow streets,
since the mill has shut down, it's so
quiet that I can't sleep.
The mill has shut down, but it's the
only life I know
tell me, what will I do, tell me, where
will I go?
And the only tune I hear is the sound
of the wind,
as she blows through the town weave and spin, weave and spin.
I'm too old to work, and I'm too young
to die.
Tell me, where will I go now, my family
and I?
There‘s no use anymore for these cotton
mills it seems
but the sound of the loom still haunts
my dreams.
Such a beautiful song, I heard it first by a performer at a local folk club. I love this rendition of it.
What a gorgeous melody.
Great song and performance
This is the first version of this song I've heard since I heard it sung by the group, Bok Muir and Trickett in the 80's. Great job!
amazing , lost for words ...
Beautiful take one another old favourite.
such a haunting song but in a nice way.sends shivers through me.
I didn't see anybody credit the writer, Si Kahn. He wrote it in the early 70's, and then a few years later Seldom Scene picked it up and made it a bluegrass classic.
early 70s? wow it sounds so 30s
The Mill Run Dulcimer Band did a good job of it too!
Bob,what was his other great composition.
Brilliant. Thanks for posting.
I live in aragon today is my first time hearing. Lived through the closing, hauntingly true.
Just beautiful!
this is the original song. Belfast Mill is a homage to this song; the spirit resonants throughout the UK where all the mills have closed.
Here in the Midlands of South Carolina also. Dozens of mills moved over seas, leaving thousands unemployed. The milltowns supplied everything to these poor people. Schools for their children, churches, homes and jobs. For generations that is all those families knew and how were they paid for their loyalty? They showed up for work, only to find the gates of the mills chained and locked. Many are dead now but many still live, never having been able to find employment elsewhere. The mills were, literally, the only life they knew and there is no training or help for them here. It's a tragic, heartbreaking story and I have always wondered why the news people have never done a documentary about it. We always hear about the people who live in the coal mining towns but you never hear about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, who dedicated their lives to the cotton mills. The health problems they have are just horrible.
It's by Si Kahn. It's a song from USA 1970 Mill in Aragon, Georgia
superb ... was near tears ...
Wow ....A plus.........really well done.....old music teacher.....xo
Karen Matheson - I'll finally get to Scotland next year, 2019. Is your kettle on? God, how I'd love to have a cuppa with you. My surname is Irish but I am Scottish through and through. I'll bring biscuits!
Aeh! I'd love to see Scotland again myself!
This was my favorite song on the whole TS 6 series, love it!!!
Mine too.
No one touches Hazel Dickens' version imo... she oozes that poignant hard-scrabble Appalachian vibe... her haunting voice cuts deep.
Is it just me but I would never praise another version on another musicians rendition. If I had nothing to say about this version then I would say nothing.
@@PurpleBeattie I understand your sentiment, but the intention of my comment was to make others aware, of Hazel Dickens... a treasure.
@@KennethWilliamElkington then to do that I would have praised both renditions highlighting that I appreciate Karen however there may be another version worth listening x
Listen to the Dry Branch Fire Squad version of the song.
Goodness
Think Mary Black also released this song back in the day also a classics
Pick up by the Furys but Christ it an embarrassment when you hear the origonal done by artisans such as these.Close to finest in collection
Wonderful version, but where's the attribution to Si Kahn?
Love all the players, but Danny Thompson’s expressions are remarkable.
nice
Interesting interpretation. They changed the melody quite a bit. Hazel Dickens sings it like it was written. Three chords and the truth.
Yes. This is a good version. That's what makes folk music so interesting, No rigid format.
Hazel dickens the best. U not bad hen. 🐶woof👍
Ex "life in a northern town"
Great song and fantastic performance…however the lyrics were not accurate in the tale of Aragon Mill as the mill of that name in fact did reopen under new ownership at about the time the song was composed. Doesn’t change anything….just an interesting anecdote.
Fair play to Karen getting up and doing this
Karen sang it solo at Celtic connections possibly two years ago, even more touching , a beautiful lady
No mistake about it, Karen could sing.
Still think Planxty are the definite version, Andy's voice haunts me to ZZZZZland :)
like a dirge too slow