Peg and Awl

"Peg and Awl" speaks of the frightening and perhaps incomprehensible process of being supplanted, of threatened livelihood and the awful prospect of uselessness. When workers, in this case shoemakers, are replaced by a machine which "pegs a hundred pair to my one." The dismal necessity of progress is realized, interestingly and subtly, in the lyrics: "They invented a new machine/ Prettiest thing I ever seen/ Throw away my peg, my peg and awl." Despair, rather than anger, characterizes this song, giving it a heartbreaking gravitas. Here Parr forgoes this line, but gives it an otherwise appropriate reading.

Charlie Parr - Peg and Awl [mp3]

Taken from Hinah Records' ongoing compilation of American folk music covers.

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Enjoy.