According to the My Old Man Songfacts, MacColl's father, William Miller, was a Scottish foundry worker who had been blacklisted because of his union activity. In the song, as in real life, William Miller ends up a broken man, discarded during the Great Depression, though it is not clear if this was due to the rampant unemployment, his union activity, advances in technology, or some permutation thereof.
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According to the My Old Man Songfacts, MacColl's father, William Miller, was a Scottish foundry worker who had been blacklisted because of his u… read more
According to the My Old Man Songfacts, MacColl's father, William Miller, was a Scottish foundry worker who had been blacklisted because of his union activity. In the song, as in rea… read more
Ewan MacColl (born James Henry Miller in Salford, Lancashire, on 25 January 1915; died 22 October 1989) is recognised as the father of the British folk revival. The writer of classics such as "Dirty Old Town" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (which won him a Grammy in 1972), MacColl partnered Peggy Seeger and was father to musicians Kirsty MacColl, Neill MacColl and Calum MacColl, and grandfather to Bombay Bicycle Club's Jamie MacColl. Innovative and inspiring, both collecting traditional songs, as well as writing new ones. He was, and remains, a v… read more
Ewan MacColl (born James Henry Miller in Salford, Lancashire, on 25 January 1915; died 22 October 1989) is recognised as the father of the British folk revival. The writer of classics such … read more
Ewan MacColl (born James Henry Miller in Salford, Lancashire, on 25 January 1915; died 22 October 1989) is recognised as the father of the British folk revival. The writer of classics such as "Dirty Old Town" and "The Fi… read more