“The Chichester Boys”

Description

The story of the factory and town of Chichester. When founded by Eli Chichester, the workers were treated fairly and liked the conditions. Hard times forced the factory into bankruptcy and a takeover, and the singer left. Now he wishes he had stayed

Supplemental text

Chichester Boys, The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, Folk Songs
of the Catskills, #170, pp. 616-617. As recited by Mike Casey.

Old Eli Chichester, he built the town;
He gathered all the boys from all the way around;
They lived in Chichester, they owned a little town,
They employed all the boys from all the way around.

(fragments of 4 additional stanzas)

Historical references

• 1893 - Bankruptcy of the Chichester factory. The workers tried but failed to rescue the company, which was taken over by W. O. von Schwarzwalder (called Swashwaller in the Catskills text)

References

1. FSCatskills 170, "The Chichester Boys" (1 text)
2. ST FSC170 (Partial)
3. BI, FSC170