Poverty Knock

The Higgin Mill on Moor Lane; a Grade II listed building converted into student accommodation in 1989, and currently used by the University of Cumbria (who have decided, for reasons best known to themselves, to just annexe part of Lancashire for their own use). The mill was built around the turn of the nineteenth century and operated originally as a steam-powered worsted factory. Cotton-spinning began there in 1828, and continued well into the twentieth century.

The traditional song Poverty Knock (performed here by Chumbawamba), was sung to the rhythm of the looms, and described the daily life of the mill-workers.

Poverty poverty knock, my loom is a-saying all day
Poverty poverty knock, gaffer's too skinny to pay
Poverty poverty knock, keeping one eye on the clock
I know I can guttle when I hear my shuttle go poverty poverty knock.

Up every morning at five
I wonder that we keep alive
Tired and yawning, another cold morning
It's back to the dreary old drive.

Oh dear we're going to be late
Gaffer is stood at the gate
We're out of pocket, our wages they'll dock it
We'll have to buy grub on the slate.

And when all our wages they bring
We're often short of a string
While we are fratching with gaffer for snatching
We know to his price he will cling

Sometimes a shuttle flies out
And gives some poor woman a clout
There she lies bleeding but nobody's heeding
Oh who's going to carry her out?

Oh dear, my poor head it sings
I should have woven three strings
But threads are breaking and my back is aching
Oh dear, how I wish I had wings

Poverty poverty knock, my loom is a-saying all day
Poverty poverty knock, gaffer's too skinny to pay
Poverty poverty knock, keeping one eye on the clock,
I know I can guttle when I hear my shuttle go
Poverty poverty knock.