A few years a go while on tour, I met the last company owned town in America. The residents were extremely kind and forthcoming about their situation. The mill that owned everything there was going bankrupt and leaving. They only had a short time to figure out how to either buy the town back or leave themselves (and they had been there for generations). I wrote this for them.

LYRICS

Deep in the shell of a mill-owned town
Ages since the work whistle’s sung.
I caught Daddy sneaking out of the house
Said he heard where they’re hiring on.
Said he’d be back before the winter comes.

Rumors run wild in a mill-owned town
Private lives are known by everyone
But you’ll never hear blame thrown on the Company name.
Hope is strong they’ll turn the lights back on before the winter comes.

But he can’t wait any longer.
No, he can’t stand to see his town haunted
By the weight of questions never-ending.
‘Where’s the company gone? Where’s the help they were sending?’

The lure is strong in a mill-owned town
The Company cares for all who sign on.
They will provide if we keep workin’ side by side
Never thinking of moving on... there’s nowhere to go once the winter comes.

The numbers start to fall in a mill-owned town.
No one thought they’d leave us high and dry.
But the boss was hard to find and while we’re towing the line
He packs up and put his good suit on.
Said he’d be back before the winter comes.


But I can’t wait any longer.
No, I can’t stand to see my town haunted
By the weight of questions never-ending.
‘Where’s the company gone? Where’s the help they were sending?’

Deep in the heart of a mill-owned town,
Months since the boss up and run.
Mama watched me walking straight out of the house
I said, “I’m gonna find where the bossman’s gone.
I’m gonna make it right before the winter comes.”

Well, I told you rumors run wild in a mill-owned town
Private lives are known to everyone.
Word came ‘round before my foot hit the ground.
Time to fight for what we rightfully own.
Let’s get to work before the winter comes.

‘Cause we can’t wait any longer.
No, we can’t stand to see our town haunted
By the weight of promises pending.
The Company’s done wrong and this time it’s ending.