Name: All you females
Duration: P00H04M20S
Description: Adapted from 'The Model Workhouse Master' (Roud Number: V5630, printed between 1860 and 1883) about crimes against women committed by a Victorian workhouse owner and the attempts made to pay women off in exchange for their silence. Taken from the Bodleian Broadside Ballad Archive.

All you females

from Neighbours and Sisters by Bird in the Belly

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£1 GBP or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Adapted from 'The Model Workhouse Master' (Roud Number: V5630, printed between 1860 and 1883) about crimes against women committed by a Victorian workhouse owner and the attempts made to pay women off in exchange for their silence. Taken from the Bodleian Broadside Ballad Archive.

lyrics

Come all you females pay attention
While about some ugly deeds I’ll mention
I will relate a sad disaster
Of Mr M the workhouse master

With Miss S- S- he did begin
And in the parlour shooed her in
Somethings wrong between you and me
I was outside, I could not see

There was Polly, Ann and Miss Nancy
Called them all his little fancy
Was so fond of pauper ladies
Filled the place with bright eyed babies

The workhouse master what a sinner
Gave new boots to Mary Skinner
"I must kiss you and taste your wares
I’ve watched your legs whilst you cleaned stairs"

He’s done his work while he was able
On his desk and kitchen table
His little eye sharp as a needle
And gave the kids to the workhouse beadle

He went too far, was forced to strike it
Said ‘they never screamed because they liked it’
"I’m a good man - do my work with ease
Filled the nursery with employees"

To some young girls a man went round
To square it up with twenty pounds
Seduce poor girls and pay them off
A noble man to call your boss

Now a word between me and you
What was the poor girls to do?
With Mr M the amorous sinner
Eat your breakfast or lose your dinner

credits

from Neighbours and Sisters, released October 18, 2019

license

about

Bird in the Belly Brighton, UK

Bird in the Belly is a Brighton-based Folk group consisting of folk-duo Hickory Signals (Laura Ward and Adam Ronchetti), alt- folk singer-songwriter Ben Webb (Jinnwoo, Green Ribbons), and multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Pryor. Together they collect little known and forgotten lyrics, poems and stories from around the UK, and set them to their own “hypnotically original compositions” (fRoots). ... more

birdinthebelly.com

contact / help

Contact Bird in the Belly

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Bird in the Belly, you may also like:

HOLD FAST
by Stick In The Wheel

supported by 6 fans who also own “All you females”

I usually haaaate autotune voices, but done this way it's brilliant. When enough craftsmanship is used. Hard to pick a favourite from this great album. One of my favourites of the year! soundofperpetualastonishment
go to album
Blackletter Garland
by Hack-Poets Guild

supported by 5 fans who also own “All you females”

this is one of the most beautiful collections of music I've heard in a very long time. every song draws your attention - don't plan on doing anything else while you listen. more please 🙏 kimmcb
go to album
Tonebeds for Poetry
by Stick In The Wheel

supported by 5 fans who also own “All you females”

Beautiful - cultband worthy - music. Slight hints of Death in Vegas did it for me. qibote
go to album
Ship To Shore
by Richard Thompson

The legendary Richard Thompson's new solo album exemplifies his many musical paths, from pop and cabaret to jazz to traditional folk. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2024
go to album
Endurance Soundly Caged
by Stick In The Wheel

Adapting their calculated standards into a raw, live setting, the radical UK folk duo rework six highlights from their spellbindincatalogue. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 7, 2022
go to album
Spider Tales
by Jake Blount

This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
go to album
Still As Your Sleeping
by Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan

supported by 5 fans who also own “All you females”

Thanks for the beautiful music Karine and Dave. it's been a while since I've felt so emotional listening to a new album. Every lyric is so beautifully supported by the piano parts. Laura-Beth Salter
go to album