The Miller's Three Sons facts for kids

"The Miller's Three Sons" is an old English folk song. It tells a story through music. This song was first printed on a special kind of paper called a broadside in the 1700s. It was very popular in England and even more so in North America. The song is listed in the Roud Folk Song Index as number 138.

What the Song is About

The song tells the story of a miller who is about to die. He has three strong sons. The miller needs to decide which son will get his mill. He asks each son how much flour they will take from the grain that farmers bring to be ground.

The oldest son says he will take one-quarter of the grain. The old miller is not happy with this answer. He tells his son that he has not learned his trade well.

The second son says he will take half of the grain. He gets the same unhappy reply from his father.

Then, the third and youngest son speaks. He says: "Before I will a good living lack, I'll take it all and foresware the sack"

This means he plans to take all the grain for himself! In most versions of the song, the old man gives the mill to his youngest son. Then, the miller dies.

Some versions of the song wonder what happens to the miller after he dies. But in at least one version from Wisconsin, something different happens. The old man dies without a will. In this version, his wife, the old woman, ends up keeping the mill!

How the Song Spread

Old Printed Copies

This song was printed by sellers named Dicey & Marshall. They printed it as a broadside between 1736 and 1753. Broadsides were like old newspapers or posters. They helped spread songs and stories.

Versions from Singers

People collected many versions of "The Miller's Three Sons" from traditional singers. The Roud Folk Song Index lists about 19 versions from England. It also lists 7 from Scotland, 5 from Canada, and 90 from the USA. Many of the American versions came from the Appalachian Mountains, the Ozarks, and New England.

Recordings of the Song

Older Recordings

You can find recordings of this song in online archives. Some famous singers who recorded it include Harry Cox and Walter Pardon from England. Jumbo Brightwell from Suffolk, England, also sang a version. J.D. Stark from Arkansas and Charles Fiddes Reid from Scotland also have recordings.

In 1940, Jim Holbert sang "The Miller's Goin' For To Die." This was recorded at an FSA camp in California. Horton Barker from Virginia recorded "The Millers Will" in 1962. Dr. C.B Skelton from Georgia recorded "The Miller's Will" in 1993.

Country and Folk Recordings

The Carson Brothers & Sprinkle recorded this song in 1929. They called their version "The Old Miller's Will." Bascom Lamar Lunsford also recorded "The Miller's Will" in 1956.

Modern Recordings

Many modern folk groups and singers have also recorded "The Miller's Three Sons." These include The Oldham Tinkers, Brass Monkey, The Claque, Jackie Oates, and Bella Hardy.