The poem begins with the seamstress describing her work. She sits at her sewing machine for long hours, often until late at night. She is exhausted and malnourished, and her fingers are sore from the constant work. She sings a mournful song as she works, expressing her frustration and despair.
The second stanza of the poem describes the seamstress's home. It is a small, dark, and crowded room. There is no furniture except for a bed, a table, and a few chairs. The seamstress's children are hungry and crying, and she has no money to feed them.
In the third stanza, the seamstress reflects on her life. She realizes that she is trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation. She has no hope of improving her situation, and she is slowly dying from her work.
The poem ends with the seamstress's plea for help. She begs for someone to come and save her from her misery. She wants to be free from her work and to be able to live a decent life.
"The Song of the Shirt" is a powerful and moving poem that highlights the plight of the working class during the Industrial Revolution. It is a reminder of the importance of social justice and the need to protect workers from exploitation.