The Bricklayer's Song

Subject: The Bricklayer's Song
From:
Date: 25 Jan 98 - 07:33 AM

My father played me a very humorous tape this week -- it was a folk song recorded some time ago which told the story of a bricklayer who had a very tough time emptying some bricks from a bucket on a pulley.

I would guess that the original song was recorded in Britain in the early/mid 1900s. Dad's copy came from a radio show hosted by Max Ferguson on the Canadian Broadcastng Corporation (CBC).

I'm trying to find more information about the author of the song and its history.

Thanks! ... [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 25 Jan 98 - 10:04 AM

You'll find lyric and tune in the database (search BRICKS ROPE). Authoe Ian Cookson.

I have several versions, best is by the Clancy Brothers. Sorry, I don't know the history.....Tiger

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Barry
Date: 25 Jan 98 - 11:10 AM

It' s in the DT, search 'Why Paddy's Not At Work Today' also know as the Excuse Note or the Sick Note. the author, according to the DT is Pat Cooksey. Barry

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Jen
Date: 25 Jan 98 - 12:08 PM

I love this song!!!!! One of my favorites, although no one else in my family laughed as hard as I did the first time I heard it.

Jen

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Bruce O.
Date: 25 Jan 98 - 12:17 PM

I've heard Joe Hickerson sing it, and I think Ed Trickett, also. Perhaps the worst moment of Ed's life occured when Ed attempted to sing it on Praire Home Companion and could not remember how to get started. A performers' worst nightmare ctually happened to poor Ed.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Jan 98 - 12:31 PM

The story goes back at least as far as the mid-1930s--I first encountered it in an old Readers Digest. THe story was that this was a letter to an insurance company, claiming that head had only received a check for one accident while, in reality, he'd had seven. I think that this point got lost, and shouldn't have.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Benjamin Bodhra/nai
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 06:15 AM

The Furey's have also done it as have the Corries, and Jack (John? something) Murphy (This was on a 7" I was once lent to learn the song on the flipside and I never took a lot of notice of the singers name). Other title is why Murphy is not at work today. And they all say Pat Cooksey as the source so I guess you can date it somewhat by that if you know when he was writing.

I seem to remember Hoffnung doing it as a letter, or at least something similar. That is of course if you all know Hiffnung, the English comic/after dinner speaker, who was famous for reading "letters" he had received or been given.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Benjamin Bodhra/nai
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 07:10 AM

And having actually looked at the CD of the Corries it is sourced as Cooksey/Hoffnung/Murphy thru' Cop-Con

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Jen
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 07:28 AM

Hmm. I have a little book of such letters, I wonder if this one is in it. (I wonder where the book is, too, since I haven't seen it in a while...)

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: The Fenian
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 08:17 AM

The best version of the song i have heard is by the Dubliner's and it was referred to as the Sick Note. Definitly an excellent song. There is another song by men of no Property or the Battering Ram and I don't know the name of it that goes to the same tune as this song. The first verse goes like this. "Oh I'm the man the slimy man who listens at your door, For I belong to the R.U.C. and that't what I'm paid for, If your singin' songs of protest or against the third world war, I'll put your name in me book and by hook or by crook I'll say that your done for."

I refer to it as "The man From the R.U.C. but if anybody knows different please tell me.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: BAZ
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 07:37 PM

The first time I heard this was on a Hoffnung LP. Adress to the Oxford Union. It's also in the Furey's song book as Paddy and the Barrel(the sick note) (words and music by Pat Cooksey) But the Murphy referred to above is a guy that lives round the corner to me here in Cornwall, Noel Murphy. Noel is still working in the clubs and has just issued a new C.D, calles at a session and THE BRICKS is one of the tracks.

REGARDS

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: leprechaun
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 10:53 PM

This is one of the songs that helped turn my kids on to Irish music. Even my 18 year old son, a Metallica fan, knows all the words to "Dear Boss," and sings it often.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Sir
Date: 30 Jan 98 - 07:23 AM

Ray Stevens has recorded it too.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: leprechaun
Date: 30 Jan 98 - 10:34 PM

Maybe he just thinks he's Ray Stevens.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Adam
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 03:47 PM

It is good.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From:
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 07:02 PM

Where can I find the lyrics to this song, or a recording of it. My father is Irish and is almost blind and would like to hear it. THANKS

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 07:26 PM

Songs that have lots of titles are hard for beginners to find in our database, so here's a link. I also sent the lyrics by e-mail.
Can anybody suggest a good recording of this song that's readily available?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 09:49 PM

Joe,

I know Ed Trickett did this song. Sandy Paton might know on what recording it can be found. Could even be on Folk-Legacy. RUS says that the Dubliners have it on their 25th anniversary album, but I could not find that on CD Now. They also say the Furey Brothers did the song and that it is in their Song Book.

I'll keep searching.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 10:14 PM

Yep, it is on the Furey's but they call it "Paddy and the Barrel" I believe. Barley Bree also have it on one of their tapes, but I will have to find it. I will check it and post the name. Great song. I have heard it performed many ways, but I think my favorite live performance was by a Dublin born Uillean Piper who now lives and performs in Chicago, and also pipes for The Trinity Dancers. His name is Pat Broaders and he does it in a sad sack voice that just kills me.

Mick

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 10:16 PM

Wincup16,

I went to CDNow and typed in Clancy Brothers in the search block. Several alternatives came up, I clicked on the first one entitled "Clancy Brothers". This produced a list of CD Titles. The last on the list is "With Robbie O'connell." It is a Vanguard CD and one song is entitled "Dear Boss (Bricks)". It has a small WAV file and it is the song in this thread.

You can reach CDNow by clicking on the "Support the Mudcat" icon with the glying fish. If you order this way, it doesn't cost you any more, but Mudcat gets a cut which allows it to stay on the net another minute or so.

Enjoy the music!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 10:25 PM

Good man you are, Roger!!! And why aren't you out with YOUR honey? ***grin***

Mick

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Lyle
Date: 02 Apr 99 - 11:18 PM

Go to this site:

http://www.mikecross.com/albums/albums.htm

Mike Cross does it on his album "Solo At Midnight" under the title "Dear Boss."

Lyle

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From:
Date: 03 Apr 99 - 12:39 PM

Flanders & Swann may have a version on one of their albums This brings back many happy memories of growing up in England, plus my father was a "brickie" and had a sense of humor that wouldn't quit. Oh, you sentimental mudcats I shall reminisce and weep all day.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Apr 99 - 08:08 PM

Ah, I knew I had this song on a CD somewhere! It's on a great CD called Best of the Funny Stuff - Creme de la Cross, by Mike Cross, which also has the infamous "Scotsman" song. It's available (with RealAudio samples) at Music Boulevard and other fine merchants.....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Apr 99 - 08:15 PM

The tune, BTW, is more traditionally used for The Garden Where the Praties Grow.

Subject: RE: The Bricklayer's Song
From: Billy J Co Antrim
Date: 04 Apr 99 - 08:22 AM

Words and Chords are in the Furteys songbook available do not have the catalouge no here but should be easily available. If you need more info will come back with more Billy J