Fureys and Davey Arthur : Belfast Mill

Based on the American song "Aragon Mill" which was written by Si Kahn in 1974 (or 79?) A lot of people seem to think this is the original. It wasn't but a great song nonetheless. Thanks Ray.

[@SuperGeorgeGlass]

I grew up in Belfast and I had sisters that worked in The Linen Room. It was a weaving mill in Belfast. Every morning we could hear the sound of the steam whistle calling the people to work. Then one day the whistle was no more. The mill had shut down and it's never coming back. So the words hold special meaning for me.

[@DeanCollins-w4i]

😮😮t qrat 😅😊 xxx 🎉xxx

[@killickfarms]

Nobody can put over a folk song like Finbarr furey. His voice is a mix of life lessons, cheeky confidence, peace with himself and plenty of black Porter!!!!

[@zachmcloughlin]

Nobody can beat finbarr but look up dan mc cabe

[@kingston2411]

@@zachmcloughlin furys are the best singers and boxers

[@galwaytribes5310]

What a storyteller finbar is, every song he sings he takes us on the journey with him

[@simontimoney]

Dubliners can..luke kelly

[@simontimoney]

@@zachmcloughlin luke kelly

[@Normalguy1690]

23 years old born and raised in Belfast and my dad has only just introduced me to this song

[@tommcinerney7641]

Ireland's best...forget Tony Blair

[@kathz9082]

In the early 2000’s, my family would have music nights every week when I was little. I can still my mother singing this (slower than this version) and smiling down at me. what I would do to go back to those simpler times.

[@patriciaoneill8053]

Aw lovely message

[@roryduggan1805]

No clue but that comment brought a tear to my eye mabye it’s cause his voice in the background BRING BACK OLD IRELAND

[@franciso.connell1634]

We can still have simple times

[@stephencox4829]

God the nights singing these songs around different pubs and family's houses in kildare, days long gone how ireland as changed

[@TheEamoB]

These Furey lads are national treasures. And Davey Arthur of course!

[@patriciadavidson6765]

How can 106 people give a thumbs down to this iconic song: it is stunning 🤗😎

[@samkearney6424]

DID

[@paddymac5161]

Shower of wankers

[@marcdunn7716]

Yup dunno Somebody's bored n angry i think

[@rcoughlan737]

@@marcdunn7716 Looks like u got it right, too many haters nowadays

[@martinlong106]

Muppets is all its a beautiful song

[@philippatton4399]

I’m Irish and it brings tears to me !

[@richardbyrne618]

This song sends shivers up my spine

[@michaeldonnellan5865]

Beautiful singing BRING BACK THE OLD DAYS ASAP💚💚💚💚👍👍👍💚💚💚💚💕💕💚💚💚💚💕💚

[@thomassmith4259]

I'm Irish ☘️ and I can't stop singing this song omg I love and my sister loves it too such a good song I can't believe this is in the 90s

[@philippatton4399]

My uncle Brian Patton played with these as a fiddle player from Donegal Eire

[@frillman3466]

Was my grandad kenny (pops) favourite song according my dad, I sadly never got to meet my pops!! But what a tune.. proud of my irish blood!!!

[@HouseholdDog]

They are brilliant musicians. The instrumentals make you actually feel the wind, blowing through the town.

[@shannonduddy4149]

Grew up with the furyes,, brilliant portsalon back in the days x us derry people love use xx

[@johnmurphy4601]

First time I heard this song was in London 1990 in the wheatsheaf pub in tooting bec

[@coleenquinn3761]

Beautiful 🎶🎶🇮🇪🍀🍀

[@kittymon35]

Good I read this thread as I am singing this song at a summer festival on Saturday in Zurich. My grandmother worked in a Belfast mill and so this song really means something to me. The girls who worked in the Belfast Mills were called 'Millies'. Two of the largest mills in NI closed due to a fall in consumer demand in 1962. Its a wonderful song and I love singing it. Thanks Si for writing it. I also wrote a song recently called the Highwaymans Lass which I also hope will be liked as much as Belfast Mill. Thanks Katie

[@patriciaoneill8053]

Aw my Granny worked in the mill too

[@soniatilbrook4100]

Sonia kerwick this tune is BRILLIANT GOD Bless IRELAND

[@robbiehunt868]

2024 and still love it

[@rossedmonds1828]

I've known what its like to want work and not getting it. Under those circumstances its a battle to hang onto any self confidence and to hang onto a relationship. It was a long time ago but I haven't forgotten.

[@benmchenry4587]

Whenever I feel down I listen to Fin. Thanks heaps for your beautiful voice 😊

[@patriciaoneill8053]

Listen to Finbar singing with Finbar Furey " Green Fields of France"

[@patriciaoneill8053]

Sorry With Christy Dignam

[@BILLYnKAREN]

There is no band better than The fureys for putting genuine feeling in any and every song they play. This is no exception. Fantastic. Love this band.

[@woodiethompson526]

This man was no doubt born to be a singer perfect voice perfect accent passion oozing in every performance I have heard what an entertainer ! Too early gone!

[@alan00ross]

At the East end of town, at the foot of the hill, there's a chimney so tall, it says Belfast Mill. But there's no smoke at all, coming out of the stack, for the mill has shut down and 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 playing, in the dark narrow streets, and the loom has shut down, it's so quiet I can't sleep. And the only tune I hear is the sound of the wind, as she blows through the town, weave and spin, weave and spin. The mill has shut down, t'was the only life i know, tell me where will i go now, 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. And the only tune i hear is the sound of the wind, as she blows through the town, weave and spin, weave and spin. At the East end of town, at the foot of the hill, there's a chimney so tall, it says Belfast Mill. But there's no smoke at all, coming out of the stack, for the mill has shut down, and 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. And the only tune, I hear is the sound of the wind, as she blows through the town, weave and spin, weave and spin. As she blows through the town, weave and spin weave and spin

[@aphexrobinson2022]

I'm not even irish but had a beer, sat back in my arm chair and falling in love with this! ❣

[@martinpinkerton1615]

About the song

[@MoMo-vb9zq]

Thanks for the lyrics Alan its a lovely song!

[@dalidelancey5868]

​@@aphexrobinson2022It's not an Irish song, so you're alright there; the original title is Aragon Mill, and Aragon is in Georgia (the American state, not the Slavic country). Si Kahn wrote the lyrics based on overhead conversations when tha mill shut down. The Fureys got the song off him and changed the mill to Belfast. (With permission)

[@JOHNWATSON-w1f]

CLASS! BEAUTY

[@THEMCCARTNEYCHANNEL]

My mum used to work there East Bread st Newtownards rd at the foot of the hill when she was 13. Long since gone

[@normkraushaar8395]

So universal, says so much from the heart....as is Gallipoli and most of their songs

[@ammulhare1644]

First time hearing this beautiful, sad, magical song. Well done to the musicians! Oregon Mill, eh? Another interesting history there too I am sure. Such songs are also documenting the onward flowing river of human civilisation & history. Thanks for posting this example!

[@daistoke1314]

This song resonates with every town, city or community that has seen jobs destroyed, Too old to work, and too young to die.

[@mikecarter5846]

This is an awesome tune. The closing of factories and mills worldwide is a sad consequence of economic times. Whole towns fall into waste and many families are destroyed. Keep a good thought for those unfortunate people.

[@landrykkb]

I've heard this song a lot throughout my life and I still love it.

[@declandarthwing5691]

I've literally just discovered this song, what else am I missing I wonder.

[@julane50]

Wow . a great version of Aragon Mill. I love the Red Clay Ramblers(?) soulful rendition. I've only recently discovered 'Belfast Mill' .. ♬‧*˚✧♬‧*˚ .. must say it's one o the best !

[@redarchibald]

Love this! Had on repeat all night!

[@waynecrothers2012]

Going to see the fureys and davey Arthur perform at the Ardhowen theatre,Enniskillen 8/02/2020 I can't wait,great musicians and songwriters...

[@rossedmonds1828]

I was unemployed years ago - and I haven't forgotten what it felt like. Sad

[@lindy-loucullen4226]

God in Australia, if you are over 55, no matter how qualified you are singing the Belfast Mill.

[@rossedmonds1828]

@@lindy-loucullen4226 True

[@Ken528100]

Absolutely love this tune!!!❤

[@Maksimfan]

this is the song that first got me loving folk music

[@stuartlooby2418]

Dopes dats why

[@iainmackillop2128]

Killiekentman Hey Ray ! I'm so amazed that this post has racked up nearly 200,000 views since it was posted. Many thanks to you for maing it available .. and to Si Kahn for writing this great song :)

[@noelsteele7112]

Born in Belfast .used to hear hewitts mill horn as i walked up the crumlin road to school.happy days.

[@josparkes1]

The Furies are awesome, and this is awesome too, they are a great band !

[@natashamolloy5885]

My big brothers song 5months gone our thomas the pain in my heart is getting worse , u and our patrick is up there in paradise . I miss you so much i love you to bits , r.i.p my two brother thomas and patrick ,life will never be the same

[@annmariem121]

I love ya sis we will get threw this 😭

[@shannonduddy4149]

My family always loved them ,and always will ,I lost my sister 2 which broke my heart

[@shannonduddy4149]

God bless use xx

[@iandickson1330]

Sad there is olso a lot of houses with chimneys but no smoke used to love watching the smoke comeing from the train gone by days

[@irishfield1]

So great song ever adore it thank you

[@josparkes1]

The banjo is superb on this version !

[@stevesuffet]

Everyone should read songwriter Si Kahn's own comments below. Si begins by saying "Thanks to whoever posted this great version of my song 'Aragon Mill' by Davey Arthur and the Fureys." As Si says, he wrote this song after the textile mill in Aragon, Georgia, closed in 1970. What he does not say is that the mill subsequently reopened and closed again several times, but it finally closed permanently after a fire in 2002. We should all wish Si the best of luck in starting the Aragon Mill JamFest, but more importantly we should stand in solidarity with all people who are fighting against the transnational corporate greed that has destroyed the lives of working people in both big cities like Belfast and small towns like Aragon.

[@Brummy31]

Any door is open now my fellow humans 💙☘️

[@jestalhut]

Whatever The Furey's do is great. I love this song, and this is a great version.

[@shutyadish666]

For Barrie with much luv xx

[@iandickson1330]

Great songs from the great FUREYS lovely folk music

[@megancrowley2154]

Love this song💕💕

[@hooleyqueen]

Dear Michael Kelly, Thank you so much for sharing your lovely story with us. I was in Sligo where the Fureys own a bar called (surprise) Furey's. It is in the Northwest of the Republic close to the sea. I went to Furey's Pub & heard some lads playing traditional songs. For all I know it could have been some of the original band if any were (or are) still alive. I was there around 2002or 2003. I did not know about the Fureys then, but discovered them later. I bought one of their early CDs in a tiny record shop in the tiny village of Doolin on my way out to the Aran Islands which lie in the Galway Bay Doolin is the departure point for the smallest of the three islands, Inisheer. Inish means Island in Irish.

[@georgestyer2153]

Thanks for the info Si...most enlightening I love those who care !!!!

[@SuperMicksor]

Best version ever , Great Song

[@johncole8501]

Love this song

[@jennypiper377]

" JUST PERFECT THANK YOU FINBAR DAVEY,

[@arthurshelby6733]

One of the best songs to be made! Listening to this takes me pack to the 50 shades of green I miss

[@connorscoursing2053]

Best song ever ☝️💯

[@fred0donohoe593]

Great song good voice finbar

[@docholiday8308]

I love both Argon Mill and Belfast Mill. I live in SO in cotton country and there are hundreds of closed and or adapted. Many mills have been torn down to make way for new industrial plants. The South is coming back but it went lose its soul. I wish the same for distant cousins in the 6 counties now that the worst of The Troubles are over

[@coyi7454]

God bless you 🇬🇧❤️🇮🇪

[@jojokeavy2835]

Beautiful 🇮🇪🎶🎶🎶🎶🇮🇪2020🇮🇪

[@johannothnagel137]

Amazing voice !!!!

[@bowie47ziggy]

brilliant stuff, and very rare love it...

[@johnduffy2604]

My father was born in tipperary

[@SheyD78]

The heartbreak of hard working people who's jobs are suddenly gone because it's cheaper to make things somewhere without safety regulations or minimum wage. Corporate greed has a lot to answer for.

[@punkcat77]

I never knew who sang this song! Fureys are awesome.

[@iandickson1330]

That’s music at its best they sure bring life to there songs maybe not the chimney stack

[@MRAWSOME481]

It was played at my granddads funeral

[@thelittleowl2484]

One of my favorite song

[@deaghansionnach2936]

Awesome song, reminds me of my time in Belfast

[@iandickson1330]

Great 👍 brilliant the best thank too them

[@patriciaoneill8053]

Aw brilliant, Belfast Mill, made the greatest people,

[@richardbyrne618]

Whoever gave thumbs down to this are obviously tone deaf friend.

[@dougreed2257]

Absolutely richard,and they have no soul!

[@maxjohnson4477]

I'll drink to that

[@patmcd8271]

Number 1 song legends

[@tichmulraney6784]

Weave n spin weave n spin 🇮🇪💚☘✊🏼

[@ciarahamilton279]

It's 1974. Just to clarify! Brilliant song. If you're Irish, you can't stop the foot going.

[@hehe3439]

hahah

[@williammongan9806]

Not a truer word said

[@quickmick1112]

I read your comment as my foot started to raise up for the tap down haha thanks for the laugh.

[@moneymay7050]

Go on ciara

[@raymondoreilly4726]

Ha sitting with the foot going

[@insideout4892]

the song is such a wonderful homage to the working class people in the western world who suffered just like those who suffered across the eastern world, due to faceless big business. we might all suffer in the end

[@NiamhAdventureTime]

Reminds me of my old man

[@ingeborgdomin6846]

Good song, THX

[@susanpurnell2433]

So many traditional employments gone all over England, Ireland Scotland & Wales. Only on-line shops & call centres left, sadly. Says it perfectly.

[@jamesdoran8326]

This war is going on to long there should be peace

[@michaelmorley6423]

🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 Beautiful song

[@hooleyqueen]

so beautiful, so sad

[@montelee8244]

I live 3 mi. From the mill . great song

[@shutyadish666]

Sat here just kicking up my leg,

[@creasemason6347]

Thatcher!!!! The witch closed down the mills in the 80s...Belfast Catholics suffered...

[@paulamcnama1499]

The fureys are legendary xx

[@johndelaney2321]

outstanding@

[@KillieKentRadio]

Thanks for your note VanillaCapnCream :-)

[@jim621000]

Great version from a great band..

[@mark-anthonybent7951]

makes me homesick . miss ireland very much . maybe its time to finally go home

[@ponymahony]

hope you made it buddy

[@Maksimfan]

@KillieKentRadio I know you posted you're comment ages ago, but, in England 'The Dogs Bollox' is a phrase that means brilliant! Absolutely the best.

[@martinmcdonagh161]

love this

[@samenhillyard3436]

Amen

[@JohnMoore-wm8nj]

A worked with a guy from the falls rd in Harland and wolf ship yard Belfast I'm a Scottish Catholic he's a Irish Catholic , my mother's a Irish prody ya kna wot what a mess

[@johnduffy2604]

I'm so glad to irish

[@paddymcdaid3447]

Hazel dickens brilliant at this Aragon mill ☘️👍🐶woof

[@milkywhite2939]

British through and through but this isthe most amazing song x

[@cn820]

A great song

[@angielaz6107]

Love it