Bobbins of cotton

Were in great demand,

When cotton was king,

Here in Manchester.

Thousands of bonny lasses

Pouring out of t'Mill gates - 

Couldn't afford t'be late

Needed to thread the bobbins.

Bobbins of cotton

Rhyming slang

For rotten

Wonder if Johnny knew that?

'That's bobbins'

He'd have said.

And blinkin' bobbins to you, too,

Said Lady Blue.