The internet bloggers vs. journalism debate brought a song to mind.
As folks probably aware, the word saboteur comes from French “sabot,” wooden shoe. When automatic looms were coming in, horrified weavers would toss their wooden shoes into the (relatively delicate) machinery to sabotage them. There’s a nice old time string band song from the Carolina Tar Heels about a similar change, “Peg and Awl,” which is about the invention of shoe lasting machines in the 19th Century. The song can be found on the Anthology of American Folk Music. The words are after the Youtube clip
In the days of 18 and 1, peg and awl (x2), in the days of 18 and 1, pegging shoes is all I done.
Hand me down my pegs, my pegs, my pegs and awl.
In the days of 18 and 2, peg and awl (x2), in the days of 18 and 2, pegging shoes is all I do.
Hand me down my pegs, my pegs, my pegs and awl.
In the days of 18 and 3, peg and awl (x2) In the days of 18 and 3, pegging shoes is all you see.
Hand me down my pegs, my pegs, my pegs and awl.
In the days of 18 and 4, peg and awl, (x2), In the days of 18 and 4, I said I’d peg them shoes no more.
Throw away my pegs, my pegs, my pegs, my awl.
They’ve invented new machines, peg and awl, (x2) They’ve invented new machines, prettiest thing you’ve ever seen,
Throw away my pegs, my pegs, my pegs, my awl.
Make 100 pair to my one, peg and awl (x2) pegging shoes it ain’t no fun, throw away my pegs, my pegs, my awl.Some shoemaker!
