The lads were working hard and long,
The ladies worked as hard,
Hewing the timber, laying on chow
And shaping up the spars.
The neighbors down the road were there
Most everyone you know,
And they all knew the time was close,
With seventy posts to go.

The frame was lying on the ground
Her timbers broad and green
And the roofing splits were ready by
As fine as ever seen
We was all chuffed up at what we'd done
And a couple of gals did say,
It'll be a hell of a raising up,
When we raise the 42 Kay!

She'll be wide and high and handsome
We'll dance and sing and play
On the day the whole gang raises up
That Forty Two of Kay

The buckboards came a-rolling up
Loaded up with hams and stew,
And a dozen kegs of the very best
Of tree-nails, long and true.
A half-a-dozen kegs of beer
In the cool of the spring stream lay,
Awaiting for the raising up
Of the Forty Two of Kay!

The girls who went to Sunday school
With bouquets wandered up
And one-eyed Pete with his rosined bow
Commenced to tuning up.
Somebody brought a banjo out
And started into play
And everyone was readying up
For the Forty Two of Kay!!

She'll be wide and high and handsome
We'll dance and sing and play
On the day the whole gang raises up
That Forty Two of Kay