Henry's Songbook

(Trad. Arr. MacColl)

In 1841 me corduroy breeches I put on
Me corduroy breeches I put on
To work upon the railway, the railway
I am weary of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

In 1842 from Hartlepoole
I moved to Crewe
And I found myself a job to do
Working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

In 1843 I broke me shovel across me knee
And I went to work with the company
On the Leeds and Selvy Railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

In 1844 I landed on the Liverpool shore
Me belly was empty, me hands were raw
With working on the railway, the railway
I am weary of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

In 1845 when Danny O'Connell he was alive
Danny O'Connell he was alive
And working on the railway
I was wearing ....

In 1846 I changed my trade from carrying bricks
I changed my trade from carrying bricks
To working on the railway
I was wearing ....

In 1847 poor Paddy was thinking of going to heaven
Poor Paddy was thinking of going to heaven
To work upon the railway, the Milky Way
I'm weary of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway
I was wearing ....