Jacques et Gilles Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Jacques et Gilles work at the mill
That stands beside the water
Could be Lowell, could be Lawrence
Or Nashua, New Hampshire

Jacques et Gilles, they hate the mill
But they've too many sons and daughters
The pay's no good and they miss the woods
So they go and cut the lumber in Maine

Jacques et Gilles they've left the mill
To cut down trees in winter
Little Hélène who's only ten
She knits and spins and sits and folds

In darkness and in hunger
In the cold mill by the frozen water
And St-Jean-Baptiste says, "That's O.K
Come pray to me on Sunday

We'll cash your notes
We'll cast your votes
Just give me some of that money"
"Tell me mother, sister, brother
You who work beside me
When will we be goin' home
To the chickens and cows, the horses and sows
The cousins and friends and loved-ones
Of our native country?"