Souther Tide Mill

Souther Tide Mill Words and Music by Andy Daigle

Come on now me boys, Town River’s at hand

and the wheels should be turning at Souther’s Tide Mill.

We’ve just a short time ‘til the tide goes slack

and the water flows away, so awake now me boys.

The mill is the pride of a shipbuilding man.

His brig at town landing must sail with the dawn.

Her hold will be filled with lumber and grain.

Ten tons by the evening, twenty more by the morn.

In Braintree and Quincy the owners pad their wealth

on the backs of the mill boys in sickness and in health.

John Souther’s the master a proud man and true.

He’ll over a fair wage when payin’ time is due.

Come on now me boys, Town River’s at hand

and the wheels should be turning at Souther’s Tide Mill.

We’ve just a short time ‘til the tide goes slack

and the water flows away, so awake now me boys

Oh mill life is hard but a tide mill is worse.

You work when the tide comes no matter the hour.

In daylight and dark, fair weather or storm.

We’ll grind while she lets us then await here return.

Come on now me boys, Town River’s at hand

and the wheels should be turning at Souther’s Tide Mill.

We’ve just a short time ‘til the tide goes slack

and the water flows away, so awake now me boys