Category: Shoemaking

Peg & Awl


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This is a traditional song that chronicles the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the shoemaking craft. In 1801 a cobbler would spend all his time doing manual labor with his primitive tools “peg and awl” to create shoes. But by 1804 a machine was invented that could make a hundred pair to his one.

Lyrics:
[E] In the year of eighteen and one
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and one
[B7] Peg and awl
[E] In the year of eighteen and one
Peggin’ shoes was [A] all I done
[E] Hand me down my [B7] peg, my peg, [E] my peg and awl

In the year of eighteen and two
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and two
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and two
Peggin’ shoes was all I’d do
Hand me down my peg, my peg, my peg and awl

In the year of eighteen and three
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and three
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and three
Peggin’ shoes was all you’d see
Hand me down my peg, my peg, my peg and awl

In the year of eighteen and four
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and four
Peg and awl
In the year of eighteen and four
Said I’d peg them shoes no more
Throw away my peg, my peg, my peg and awl

They invented a new machine
Peg and awl
They invented a new machine
Peg and awl
They invented a new machine
Prettiest little thing you ever seen
Throw away my peg, my peg, my peg and awl

Makes one hundred pairs to my one
Peg and awl
Makes one hundred pairs to my one
Peg and awl
Makes one hundred pairs to my one
Peggin’ shoes it ain’t no fun
Throw away my peg, my peg, my peg and awl