INTRO
I used to be a factory hand, when things were moving slow
When children worked in cotton mills, each morning had to go
Every morning, just at five, the whistle blew on time
And called them babies out of bed at the age of eight and nine
REFRAIN: Come out of bed, little sleepyheads, and get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you, there's no more time to sleep
The children all grew up unlearned, they never went to school
They never learned to read and write, but learned to spin and spool
Every time I close my eyes, I see that picture still
When textile work was carried on with babies in the mill
SOLO
To their jobs, those little ones was strictly forced to go
Those babies had to be on time through rain and sleet and snow
Many times, when things went wrong their bosses often frowned
Many times, those little ones was kicked and shoved around
REFRAIN: Come out of bed, little sleepyheads, and get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you, there's no more time to sleep
Old-timer, can't you see that scene, back through the years gone by?
Those babies all went on the job, the same as you and I
I know you're glad that things have changed, for we have lots of fun
As we go in and do the jobs that babies used to run
REFRAIN: Come out of bed, little sleepyheads, and get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you, there's no more time to sleep