Lyrics
No school this morning, the whistle's blowing
Children by twos and threes tumble down the hill
Out of their childhood, into the world for good
Out of the schoolyard, into the mill
Silk and satin, no time for dreaming
The dawn is breaking, the twelve-hour shift starts soon
Ribbon and lace, go take your place
Within the shadows of this spinning room
Dressed in her mother's shirt, too small to reach her work
Worn as the wooden blocks on which she stands
Torn from her books and games, she stares at her spinning frame
The threads of childish laughter break in her hands
Silk and satin, no time for dreaming
The dawn is breaking, the twelve-hour shift starts soon
Ribbon and lace, go take your place
Within the shadows of this spinning room
Seasons don't shift in here, smog doesn't lift in here
Snow doesn't drift in here when the nights turn cold
Wind doesn't blow in here, rivers don't flow in here
Children don't grow in here, they just get old
Silk and satin, no time for dreaming
The dawn is breaking, the twelve-hour shift starts soon
Ribbon and lace, go take your place
Within the shadows of this spinning room