Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

On one side was Albany Avenue

On the other side a rushing creek

Laid in Flemish bond

Three stories high, a fortress of brick

This was a place of employ

The Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

But it still hurts

When I think of the privileged captivity

Of the mill girl like me

Kept sequestered

Only seen on a rope bridge

That hangs high over the stream

We are kept like galley slaves

While strangers decorate our father's graves

A dark secret of this river, this creek

This stream, oh what does it mean?

You'll hear no flattery at the factory

At the Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

There comes an undertone of frantic in her stitchery

Idle talk do the turn to the wicked

Take a listen, you'll surely see

Between the girls a foul ensued

Our heroine turns in word

To her collection

To examine her collection

Her collection of two hundred and twenty-five smiles

You'll hear no flattery at the factory

At the Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

You'll hear no flattery at the factory

At the Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

Each decision we make is based on love or fear

Shall I be kind or cruel or fake?

Shall I now shed a tear?

You can see them up in the windows of the factory

Any night of the week

Like beautifully-gowned wax figures on display

with the loveliest eyes you've ever seen

Squinting to baste the flouts

Basting underskirts as big as wagon wheels

Stabbing feelings with a needle

Do you like how that feels?

You'll hear no flattery at the factory

At the Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

You'll hear no flattery at the factory

At the Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works

At the Kinderhook Hoopskirt Works