Old man Sargent sitting at the desk
The damned old fool won't give us no rest
He'd take the nickels off a dead man's eyes
To buy Coca-Colas, Eskimo Pies

Got the blues, got the blues
I got the Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
Oh good lordy, spoolin's hard
But you know, and I know, we don't have to tell
You work for Tom Watson, got to work like hell

When I die, don't bury me at all
Hang me up on the spoolhouse wall
Place a bobbin in my hand
So I can keep working in the promised land

Got the blues, got the blues
I got the Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
Oh good lordy, spoolin's hard
But you know, and I know, there's no need to tell
You work for Tom Watson, got to work like hell

Old man Sargent sitting at the desk
The damned old fool won't give us no rest
He'd take the nickels off a dead man's eyes
To buy Coca-Colas, Eskimo Pies

Got the blues, got the blues
I got the Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues
Oh good lordy, spoolin's hard
But you know, and I know, we don't have to tell
You work for Tom Watson, got to work like hell