Emmylou Harris - Millworker

[@PrestenSPapel]

Kudos to the musical genius of James Taylor for writing this beautiful work of art and to Emmylou for nailing it.

[@eyescandeceive]

JT's greatness is that he wrote something in 1979 that sounds like a traditional folk song right out of the Southern Harmony

[@josephsutphin9275]

wow emmylou is a national treasure. a gem

[@lertcmn]

To me, Emmylou is a living legend. Who would have a voice so sweet and pure. To sing the way she does, to have the music arranged the way it should be and to pick out and search for songs that only she can do them best take an angel like her.

[@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q]

Lyrics: My grandfather was a sailor, he blew in off the water My father was a farmer and I, his only daughter Took up with a no-good millworking man from Massachusetts Who dies from too much whiskey and leaves me these three faces to feed Now millwork ain't easy, millwork ain't hard Millwork, it ain't nothing but an awful boring job I'm waiting for a daydream to take me through the morning And put me in my coffee break where I can have a sandwich and remember And it's me and my machine for the rest of the morning For the rest of the afternoon, for the rest of my life Now my mind begins to wander to the days back on the farm I can see my father smiling at me swinging on his arm I can hear my granddad's stories of the storms out on Lake Erie Where vessels and cargos and fortunes and sailor's lives were lost But it's my life has been wasted and I have been the fool To let this manufacturer use my body for a tool I can ride home in the evening staring at my hands Swearing by my sorrow that a young girl ought to stand a better chance So may I work the mills just as long as I am able And never meet the man whose name is on the label And it's me and my machine for the rest of the morning For the rest of the afternoon, for the rest of my life

[@ichthus1890]

I worked in the felt mill at IKO in the 80's and as a steam engineer for 28 years. You have to have lived it to feel the bones of this song. Emmylou has always been a queen to me. It's a side of the working life most people have probably experienced though, in one way or another. I had a chance to move into management later on, but I declined. I liked the tools and the independence of kicking back with a coffee and a cigarette at 2AM and pondering some problem that had arisen. Shift work is crazy on sleep patterns, especially if you have a bone-headed schedule like on my last job. But I got over it. Last couple of years the chiropractor said I'd never lift anything heavy again. I'm pushing seventy now and haven't been to a doctor in years. Don't plan on check up's, or anything ever, if I can help it. 'Millwork ain't easy, millwork ain't hard, millwork ain't nothing but an awful boring job'.

[@cuchelo1]

"So may I work the mill just as long as I am able, and never meet the man whose name is on the label..." For some reason, that line tears me up inside every time I hear it. Pure poetry, and heartbreaking...

[@MarkNieuwenhuizen]

Also the general song for blue collar factory workers around the globe

[@iluv2singa163]

Such a classic. Just perfection.

[@catskillmountainman5]

A fabulous version of James Taylor's best unknown song...

[@GroovyShelly]

Stunning. Thank you for posting

[@gwenmerchant5091]

No one can sing this like Emmylou. I love and remember this song so well. Her voice is fabulous and the cords she can reach unsurpassable.

[@josephsutphin9275]

oh bette midler does a wonderful job. she is divine.

[@robonecoolguy]

I saw this band with Ricky Scaggs playing everything with strings on it deftly with soul. geniuses.

[@compass4853]

It doesn't get much better than this. I think of it more universal than country music. Thanks Emmylou!

[@PerthTowne]

I don't know how you would classify this song, but it's not country the way JT performs it. He's not a country artist. But when Emmylou Harris sings the song, it sounds country.

[@mayatep]

james taylor deffinetly wrote it. It's from the show "Working", it's written based off the comments in an interview with a Millworking woman from the book Working.wonder how i know this, cause im playing the part in the show...

[@ladyinohio351]

KerFran...you may not be driving long haul or tankers but you will ALWAYS be the best man doing all of this. You are facing a new phase of your life...and you ARE NOT ALONE....we are there for you....so, whenever you need someone...just call...we all love you....I will always be around to sing this song to you....'it's me and my machine...for the rest of the morning...." for the rest of my life...thank you for being my brother!!! I love you

[@judymergel4390]

Have worked in 2 different factories,this tune brings back memories. And doesn't ELH always have the best musicians!

[@Kat5Christy10]

EmmyLou, Superb job as always..

[@OlafRonald]

Fantastic!!! When I was a child, I assumed this was a traditional folksong...James Taylor wrote a master piece!! This live version of Emmylou give me goosebumps,Thanks for uploading this...

[@lertcmn]

Emmylou's version is the most beautiful. Whatever songs she chose to cover seem to turn out to be the best ones ( to me ). She is one of the greatest singers in this world if not the greatest. Well i always let her share the space with the late Elis Regina, queen of Brazilian music and Nanci Griffith. ;)

[@groovygirl23]

Hers is the voice of an angel - and this is one of JT's best songs.

[@gtrrs71]

Great song, great album, great artist. Thank you for this post.

[@danielmeuleman3125]

Divine Emmylou. How I love you and your music

[@johnabrams8679]

Exquisite stuff from Emmylou. Take a listen to Jennifer Warnes version as well. Both these ladies take this James Taylor masterpiece into another world.

[@carsonsheir]

I always thought I liked JT's version best untill I heard Emmy sing it. Truely she is one of god's greatest gifts to music. She has to be the best cover artist I have heard. You should hear her covering Tecumseh Valley by Townes Van Zandt.

[@MrRonskiman]

Wow....just wow.

[@wimbawepper]

danke,gracias,thank you.mercie!danke, for this song!!!!!!!!

[@deanofranksammy]

Thanx so much for posting this. I love E's version best!

[@unclebobunclebob]

My favorite JT song.

[@Dan-vt3nk]

Awesome!

[@freeline39]

OMG - JT wrote a gem here. EH , what a medium for this song.... what a combo james taylor writes and emilylou harris translates GENIUS !!!

[@captnyro]

A gorgeous version of the haunting James Taylor song. It's also been recorded beautifully by Bette Midler and Jennifer Warnes.

[@starke2908]

Who knows who Frank Rekard is?.. James Taylor wrote the song.... Thanks for helping all of us remember that in comparing her. When Bob Dylan was asked about Jimi Hendrix doing, "all along the watchtower." He said Jimmis version is better than mine and my band copies of his rendition.

[@unclebobunclebob]

My very favorite James Taylor song.

[@454something]

Emmylou does a fine job with JT's terrific song. I also like her studio version of the Beatles' "Here, There, and Everywhere".

[@JohnSmith-fu2eo]

My God angel fucking classic

[@assemblyguy]

This really is one of her best if not the best compilations she's ever recorded. And I don't like country music.

[@MonicaGz]

Nancy Griffith's got a wonderful version of Tecumseh Valley also!

[@mrghin22]

I'm not looking for a beating here but have you heard Bruce Springsteens version? Its on here, give it a shot. Bruces version was the 1st version that I got to hear.

[@verticalhorizon4633]

Taylor's version remains the finest.

[@drooleydooley3848]

As factory worker this hits hard

[@5869074]

Kenrew, This is a good version of the great J.T. song but anyone who likes this should listen to the Barbara Dickson rendition. Barbara has been performing a really powerful and moving version of this song on her Live Tour this year and I don't think anyone can compare.If you don't agree then listen to Barbara's version on You Tube.

[@bekindunlimited]

JT rules

[@bigboijc]

you know Ricky used to work for Emmy...wonder whatever happened to him???

[@52701970]

Please don't hate on me, this is just my opinion. She sings the song but i don't thing she is really feeling the words..seems flat. I love her work just not with this song.

[@stphncrmr]

Bette Midler sings a great version of this song too

[@Milan276]

studds terkell spelled wrong wrote it

[@mitchrodee]

No, James Taylor definitely wrote this song He wrote it for the short-lived Broadway show titled Working, which was based upon Studs's book. He wrote (and co-wrote) several songs for the play. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_(musical)

[@mitchrodee]

Performed just a little too upbeat for what is supposed to be a very sad song.

[@jimbrennan750]

Haunting!