Factory Girl
This is a lively traditional song from the US. It is easy to sing once you have the rhythm down and audiences always respond well to it, perhaps because the rhythm and simple melody make it very immediate.
It can be arranged either so one vocalist sings the verses, and others join in on refrains and with the oo/ah backings, or so that different vocalists sing different verses.
You’ll hear that the refrain repeats around a few times at the end, and dropping the drum out at the very end highlights the vocal harmonies.
Sing this a few times and you’ll soon get it. Try out the different harmonies.
Ain’t gonna work in a factory and greasy up my clothes
Ain’t gonna work in a factory, splinters in my toes
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
No more I’ll wear that dirty dress greasy all around
No more I’ll wear that dirty hat, with holes all in the crown
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
No more I’ll hang my bobbins up, no more I’ll take them down
No more I’ll hang my bobbins up, I’m leaving this old town
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
No more I’ll hear that whistle blow, to call me up so soon
No more I’ll hear that whistle blow, to call me from my home
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
No more I’ll hear that spinning wheel rolling in my head
No more I’ll hear that spinning wheel to call m from my bed
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
Ain’t gonna work in a factory and greasy up my clothes
Ain’t gonna work in a factory splinters in my toes
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away
Pity me my darling, pity me I say
Pity me my darling, carry me away