A song by Ewan McVicar about the boredom of working in a large factory, where the noise is so loud you are alone with your machines and your thoughts.

This song began as only a verse and chorus. Ewan McVicar was asked to write short pieces of song for a local history project in Paisley that was documenting the work of workers in the Paisley thread mills. Singer and festival organiser Danny Kyle of Paisley then nagged Ewan to write more verses.

Ewan did, making them as a duet to be sung by Glasgow musician and actor Alan Tall and actress Lillian Cattigan in a show about the history of Glasgow. This show was specially written in three languages – English, German and Glesga – to be performed in Glasgow’s twin city of Nurnberg in 1985 as a part of official twinning events.

Then Ewan reworked it a little to make it a solo song. He sent this to Glasgow singer Ray Fisher, who taught it to various other singers. But Ray did not use the first part line of Ewan's original tune. Most singers sing her version, not Ewan’s original. And when introducing the song Ray sometimes says the song is about the Dundee jute mills. But it is about Paisley.

This process of songs and the stories that surround them being altered as they pass from singer to singer is known as the Folk Process.

Shift and Spin

Chorus

Shift and spin, warp and twine
Making thread coarse and fine
Dreamin o yer valentine
Workin in the mill

Keep yer bobbins runnin easy
Show ye're gallus, bright and breezy
Waitin till Prince Charmin sees ye
Workin in the mill

Chorus

Oil yer runners, mend yer thread
Do yer best until you're dead
You wish you were a wife instead o
Workin in the mill

Chorus

Used to dream you'd be the rage
Smilin on the fashion page
Never dreamt you'd be a wage slave
Workin in the mill

Chorus

Used to think that life was kind
No it isn't, never mind
Maybe some day love will find you
Workin in the mill

Chorus

He loves you not? So what?
Make the best of what you've got
Win your pay, spin your cotton
Workin in the mill.

Chorus

Listen to 'Shift and Spin', sung unaccompanied by Ewan McVicar.

Listen to 'Shift and Spin', sung by Marianne MacKinnon of Plockton.
Recorded for Learning and Teaching Scotland for Scotland's Songs.

'Shift and Spin', sung by Mick West and his band.
From Out of the Wood, CLCD001, Claytara Records.