| Play/Download Music File John Renfro Davis |
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| According the Sandburg this was first published in the 1850s. It is also known as Paddy Works on the Railway. There is an endless variety of lyrics. I chose these because it is a better representation of working life on the railway than others. These are from the source listed below. |
In eighteen hundred and forty one I put my cordoroy breeches on I put my cordoroy breeches on To work upon the railway. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-two, I left the ould world for the new, Bad cess to the luck that brought me through, To work upon the railroad. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway When we left Ireland to come here, And spend our latter days in cheer, And bosses they did drink strong beer, And Pat worked on the Railway Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway Our contractor's name it was Tom King He kept a store to rob the men, A Yankee clerk with ink and pen, To cheat Pat on the railway. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway It's "Pat do this" and "Pat do that" Without a stocking or cravat, And nothing but an old straw hat While Pat works on the railway Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway One Monday morning to our surprise, Just half an hour before sunrise The dirty divil went to the skies And Pat worked on the railroad. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway And when Pat lays him down to sleep, The wiry bugs around him creep, And divil a bit can poor Pat sleep, While he works on the railroad. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway In eighteen hudnred and forty-three 'Twas then I met sweet Biddy Magee, And an illygant wife she's been to me, While workin' on the railway. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway In eighteen hudnred and forty-six The gang pelted me with stones and brick. Oh I was in a hell of a fix While working on the railroad. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-seven, Sweet Biddy Magee, she went to heaven, If she left one child, she left eleven, To work upon the railway. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-eight I learned to take my whisky straight, 'Tis an illygant drink and can't be bate, For working on the railway. Chorus Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay To work upon the railway |
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| From: American Ballads and Folk Songs By John A. and Alan Lomax. See Bibliography for full information. |
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