I have found an external example of this in the song, "Keep that Wheel a-turning"
Wheel symbology is common in the beliefs described as Hinduism, Buddhism, Brahminism as well as wheel-like Islamic actions in Mecca and it seems everywhere. Presumably also underlying our traditional punishment of breaking on a wheel and the wheel metephore as origin our Round Table legends.
The eternally turning wheel and disasterous consequence featured in the old Indian custom of people throwing themselves under the wheeled Jugganaught and Indians still do follow this custom filming themselves being thrown under trains.
The wording of song closely ties in with these wheel and sacrifice customs around the world. The great disaster is not caused by the negligence of William Brown but quite the opposite. He does it so well that he becomes the lord high turner of the trade and attract pilgrims.
It is his success that is his downfall. The market floods and the Divine System falls apart (in the failure of the firm). The Fall.
There is a lot packed in to a few lines of song. I wondered if the author had links to the study of esoteric beliefs or was perhaps a Freemason, as they are often very keen on these metephorical plays.
The wheel turner anyway has the same role as Atlas and almost the same action. It is terribly odd that a trades union folksong should fit the legends so well.
Here are the lyrics, widely known. We sang this at my school as a boy.
KEEP THAT WHEEL A-TURNING
chorus:
Keep that wheel a-turning, keep that wheel a-turning
Keep that wheel a-turning, and do a little more each day.
A nice young man was William Brown,
He works for wage in a Northern town.
He worked from six to eight at night,
Turning a wheel from left to right.
(chorus)
Well, the boss one day to William came
And he said," Look here, young…what's your name?
We're not content with what you do
So work a little harder or its out with you.
(chorus)
So William turned, and he made her run
Three times round in the place of one.
He turned so hard he soon was made
Lord High Turner of the trade.
(chorus)
Well the nation heard of the wondrous tale
The news appeared in the Sketch and the Mail
Railways ran excursion stops
All to look at William's shop.
(chorus)
William turned with the same sweet smile.
The goods he made grew such a pile,
They filled the room and the room next door
And overflowed to the basement floor.
(chorus)
But sad the sequel is to tell,
He turned out more than the boss could sell.
The market slumped and the price went down,
And in seven days they sacked young Brown.
(chorus)
