In 1874, in Fall River, Massachusetts, a deadly fire at Granite Mill No. 1, a cotton textile factory, took the lives of 23 people, mostly women and young girls working there (Wikipedia).
(from Google Images)
Now, why in the world would I start with that bit of history? It has nothing to do with Kentucky. And it has nothing to do with Bluegrass. Or does it?
In fact, it does! “Granite Mills” is the title of the latest single from Alison Krauss and Union Station. That’s right! It was actually released all the way back in February off their new Arcadia album.
(from Google Images)
The song is without a doubt my new favorite. I can’t listen to it enough. I’m keeping it on YouTube almost constantly.
It has a melody and tone that evokes notes of Ireland. Most of all the tragic story provokes a deep emotional response.
I first thought AKUS wrote it, but while I was researching the history of the 1874 tragedy, I discovered it was written, recorded and released in 1998 by Tim Erikson and his now defunct band Cordelia’s Dad. Interestingly, they weren’t Bluegrass, but more like acoustic, Americana, with a punk rock background. It appeared on their Spine album.
A 2010 performance of their original, filmed live in Gateshead, England, is also on YouTube.
(Tim Erickson Music, YouTube channel)
I’m not exactly sure why, but even after seemingly finding the song’s original version, I continued researching the Granite Mill Fire.
Good thing I did because guess what? Erickson’s version is not entirely original.
(from Digital Tradition Folk Music Database, sniff.numachi.com)
Not for sure how well you can read that small print, but if you can, you’ll see that quite a few lines from this version appear in Erikson’s version as well. Is that a problem?
Well, if you look closer, you will not see a songwriter identified, but you will notice that a Tom Henneberry “learned” this song in the 1890’s, obviously from someone else. That date means the song is at least around 135 years old, and that makes it public domain.
It would be nice to know who wrote it. Perhaps I can dig further and discover the answer to this mystery.
I would also be extremely interested in knowing what the melody sounds like. Did Tim Erickson use the original melody, or did he create his own?
A portion of the sheet music appears at the top; however, I can’t read music enough to discern the melody from it. Anyone who could offer assistance in that department would be greatly appreciated.
Another observance about Tim Erikson’s songwriting is the liberty he takes with the facts by exaggerating the number killed from 23 all the way up to 300. Personally, that can be forgiven.
Besides, Erickson may have found a version that uses the number 300 for dramatic effect.
So, it seems Erickson took an old, old song and improved it enormously. I wish could write something that good. Kudos to Erickson for finding it, and kudos to AKUS for finding and selecting Erikson’s version.
Believe it or not, the origin of this song is not the only fascinating thing about it. You see, this songs marks Russell Moore’s debut as the lead singer for AKUS.
I wasn’t sure if I could learn to appreciate his voice replacing Dan Tyminski’s. The answer is a resounding “yes!” And I actually can’t imagine anyone but Russell Moore singing this new song.
Would have been great to see him with AKUS when the Arcadia tour opened at the Louisville Palace. Here’s a pic of them doing “Granite Mills” that night back in April 2025 in Louisville, Ky.
(Todd Sivaldo’s YouTube channel)
I’ve always appreciated Russell Moore’s work with IIIrd Tyme Out, and just to let you know—he hasn’t left them.
According to Ellie Smith at Bluegrass Today, Moore is on the Arcadia tour right now (their first in over ten years), but when the tour ends, he will return to IIIrd Tyme Out.
I’m going out on a limb here to predict AKUS adds even further to the history of the Granite Mill Fire by winning Song of the Year at the IBMA’s in September of this year and the same award for SPBGMA in January of 2026.
Whether they win or not, I’ll continue to listen to it. I might even learn to play and sing it.
”Granite Mills”—give it a listen!
