Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography

Subject: Lyric Req:
From: Mark
Date: 20 Jul 98 - 09:26 PM

There's a song that I think is called, "The Barrel". It tells of one poor man's really, really bad day at work, and it involves a barrel of bricks, a rope, a pulley, and various body parts coming into contact with all of the above. If anyone could send me the lyrics, I would really appreciate it. Send to:

[e-mail]

Thanks!!

Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Jul 98 - 09:37 PM

Do a search, using either Why Paddy's Not At Work Today or try Excuse Note. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 20 Jul 98 - 11:11 PM

G'day Mark (and Barry),

Somewhere, deep in my tape collection, I have a recording of the original of this story ... before it became a song. It was an address to the Oxford Society by the wonderful (and very musical) cartoonist Gerard Hoffnung. This was presented as a humorous monologue and the song just sets a tune to virtually the same words.

It may be heresy in this company, but I think the humour works eevn better as spoken word. I know that a lot of the humorous songs I sing do not gain from accompaniment, which often fights the free play of tone and speed that is essential for good comic delivery.

That said ... it is a bloody funny song!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Jul 98 - 11:14 PM

Bob- Look up the past thread. It's a good deal older than Hoffnung (who did a fine job of it as a recitation).

Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 20 Jul 98 - 11:22 PM

G'day Mark (and Barry),

Somewhere, deep in my tape collection, I have a recording of the original of this story ... before it became a song. It was an address to the Oxford Society by the wonderful (and very musical) cartoonist Gerard Hoffnung. This was presented as a humorous monologue and the song just sets a tune to virtually the same words.

It may be heresy in this company, but I think the humour works eevn better as spoken word. I know that a lot of the humorous songs I sing do not gain from accompaniment, which often fights the free play of tone and speed that is essential for good comic delivery.

That said ... it is a bloody funny song!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Mark
Date: 21 Jul 98 - 06:39 PM

Found it! Thanks, all. I really appreciate your help.

Mark Molnar

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel'
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 12:31 AM

How can I find an audio copy of this. Sandy Schaefer

---

e-mail sent.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel'
From: oldhippie
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 07:16 AM

Both The Fureys and The Dubliners recorded it; the latter on their 25th anniversary double LP.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel'
From: breezy
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 11:14 AM

and Noel Mercy was shown

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BARREL
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 11:32 AM

For those who can't be bothered looking

The Barrel

Dear Sir, I write this note to you to tell you of me plight
And at the time of writing I am not a pretty sight
Me body is all black and blue, me face a deathly gray
And I write this note to say why Paddy's not at work today

While working on the fourteenth floor some bricks I had to clear
Now to throw them down from such a height it was not a good idea
The foreman wasn't very pleased, he bein' an awkward sod
He said I'd have to cart them down the ladders in me hod

Now clearing all these bricks by hand it was so very slow
So I hoisted up a barrel and secured the rope below
But in me haste to do the job I was too blind to see
That a barrel full of building bricks was heavier than me

So when I untied the rope the barrel fell like lead
And clinging tightly to the rope I started up instead
Well, I shot up like a rocket 'til to my dismay I found
That halfway up I met the bloody barrel coming down

Well, the barrel broke me shoulder as to the ground it sped
And when I reached the top I banged the pulley with me head
While I clung on tight all numb with shock from this almighty blow
And the barrel spilled out half the bricks fourteen floors below

Now, when these bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor
I then outweighed the barrel and so started down once more
Still clinging tightly to the rope I sped towards the ground
And I landed on the broken bricks that were all scattered round

Well, I laid there groaning on the ground I thought I'd passed the worst
When the barrel hit the pulley wheel and then the bottom burst
Well, a shower of bricks rained down on me, I hadn't got a hope
As I lay there moaning on the ground, I let go the bloody rope

The barrel then being heavier it started down once more
And landed right across me as I lay upon the floor
Well it broke three ribs and my left arm and I can only say
That I hope you'll understand why Paddy's not at work today

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 01:23 PM

I remember hearing the monologue. I wish I could get a recording.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discogr
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:18 PM

For a song that seems ubiquitous, recordings of this song are hard to find because it has been known by so many names. I'm sure I must have a recording or two here in the room with me, but I'll be damned if I can find it. Seems that it appears most frequently on collections of recordings by the Dubliners - but not on the two Dubliners collections I have, or on my four Fureys CD's.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:27 PM

I'll be damned if I can find it

That's roughly what Pat Cooksey says when he's looking for his royalties.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: Effsee
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:39 PM

Wasn't there a link in one of the earlier threads from Pat himself, with a download of him singing it?

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discogr
From: Effsee
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:46 PM

If you Google Pat Cooksey, find his website, go to the "releases" page, you can download it for free.

---

I confess - I added the links.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Joe Coyne.
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 09:47 PM

I was at FOLK IN SCHLOSSHOF last night in Germany, Pat was on the programm together with the Oyserband, Solas, Dervish, and many other great bands, the organiser told me there were at least 5,000 people there, I would have thought more, Pat played for one hour and then twenty minutes of encores, he got a standing ovation before he sang the Sick Note, and another one after he sang it, both Dervish and Solas dedicated songs to him which I think shows how highly he is regarded in Ireland.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: Effsee
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 10:11 PM

Ah, Joe, you're just too clever by half! Weel done my son!

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: oldhippie
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 08:25 AM

Effsee, thanks for posting the link to Cookseys' download of the Sick Note. A really fun version. Already added to my iPod. :)

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: Jim McLean
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 04:25 PM

Definitely the funniest song ever written. Well done Pat!

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Hans Haffner.
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 07:26 PM

Really a very funny song, and it has certainly stood the test of time. I have heard many bands sing it and it always gets a great reception. Cooksey's download version is with guitar backing, but everytime I have heard him sing it it is without the guitar, I wonder which format he prefers and which format others prefer, for me both are great.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Jim oconner.
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 07:24 PM

I like it sung unnacompanied, but Cooksey wrote the song so he can sing it in any way he likes, what a classic.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: 'The Barrel' (Sick Note) - discography
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 03:51 PM

It's a popular song with his audiences, and is often done in performances by Mike Cross (in the US). It seems however to have appeared on only one of his CDs, with the title "Dear Boss." It's listed as "trad" in liner notes, and maybe he found out it wasn't, which might explain his not using it on his many other releases(?).

Best Of The Funny Stuff, Mike Cross, Sugar Hill Records, Inc, SH-CD-1010.

At least in my area, his recordings are usually easily available, and those who like this song might be inclined to like some of his other stuff, although this is one of his older ones and I don't know that it's still "in print."

On the same CD, songs in similar vein:

Elma Turl, The Lord'll Provide, The Great Strip Poker Massacre, Mountain Mean, Uncle Josh, The Scotsman, Granny's Milk Cartons - plus a couple of "serious" tunes. (14 tracks, about typical for his stuff)

Mentioned here mainly because he is (I think) fairly easily found in the US, if someone wants a "slick" performance recording.

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 07:21 AM

It's time for this thread to earn its title: "discography." Here's what I was able to compile, from Allmusic.com:

DEAR BOSS (BRICKS)
The Clancy Brothers, "Live!," 1982.

DEAR BOSS
Danny O'Flaherty, "O'Flaherty's Live Vol.4," 2000.
Fannigan's Isle, "Rambles of Spring," 1997.
Mike Cross, "Best of the Funny Stuff," 1994.
Mike Cross, "Creme De La Cross," 1994.
Mike Cross, "Solo at Midnight," 1985.
Peter Jefferies, "Electricity," 1995.

MURPHY AND THE BRICKS
Brier, "King of the Fairies and Other," 2005.

THE BARREL SONG
Marc Gunn, "Soul of a Harper," 2004.

THE BRICKLAYER'S SONG
Ray Stevens, "Classic Ray Stevens," 1993.
The Alexander Brothers, "Big Scottish Party Album," 2003.
The Corries, "Comedy Collection," 2003.
The Corries, "Peat Fire Flame/Stovies," 2000.
The Wiggles, "Top of the Tots," 2004.
The Wiggles, "Wiggles Party Collection," 2007.

THE SICK NOTE (MURPHY AND THE BRICKS)
Brier, "Best of Irish Pub Songs [Eagle]," 2001.

THE SICK NOTE
Anne Feeney, "Heartland," 1994.
Anne Feeney, "Union Maid".
Far Tulla, "Best of Irish Ballads," 1993.
The Dubliners, "25 Years of Celebration," 1987.
The Dubliners, "36 Irish Favorites," 2005.
The Dubliners, "Alive Alive O," 1997.
The Dubliners, "Best of Dubliners [Prism Platinum]," 2005.
The Dubliners, "Celtic Heritage [Foreign Media]," 2006.
The Dubliners, "Dubliners with Luke Kelly: Special Collection," 1999.
The Dubliners, "Live in Carre," 1985.
The Dubliners, "Milestones," 1995.
The Dubliners, "Seven Drunken Nights [Prism Platinum]," 2005.
Various artists, "101% Irish," 1998.
Various artists, "Essential Collection of Beautiful Irish Ballads [Outlet]," 2005.
Various artists, "Nowt So Funny as Folk," 2003.

THE SICK NOTE/IRISH ROVER
The Dubliners, "Arc Music: World Music Catalogue on CD," 2003.

THE SICK NOTE/MURPHY AND THE BRICK (BRICKLAYER SONG)
Various artists, "Traditional Irish Drinking Songs, Vol. 1," 2002.

WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK
Allan Kelly, "Greatest Hits, Vol. 11," 2000.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: Muttley
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 08:37 AM

An Aussie "Bush Poet" caled Jim Haines has also recorded a ripper version of this one.

Muttley

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Dan Cairns.
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 07:27 PM

Thanks for the list Jim, there are many more versions you missed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 05:59 PM

PADDY AND THE BRICKS
Noel Murphy, "Caught in the Act", 1979
Iain MacKintosh, "Live In Glasgow", 1979

WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY
Seamus Creagh, "4th Irish Folk Festival on the Road", 1977

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Dan Cairns.
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 08:10 PM

Come along Mudcatters, we are talking of a full discography, worldwide, some of you must know better than me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 07:52 PM

This ought to be turned into an edited permathread!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Jul 07 - 09:37 AM

2nd installment. These are from Gracenote.com.

BARREL SONG
Marc Gunn, "Soul of a Harper"

BRICKLAYERS SONG or BRICKLAYER'S SONG
12th Street Rag, "12th Street Rag"
David & Ginger Hildebrand, "Physics Pholk Songs"
John McDermott, "Scotland - Songs of the Isles"
Ray Stevens, "Classic Ray Stevens"
Stephen Quigg, "Scottish Collection"
The Corries, "Stovies"
The Corries, "The Compact Collection"
The Wiggles, "Top of the Tots"
Various Artists, "Dragon Rider's Comedy Mix #2"
Various Artists, "The Big Scottish Party Album"

DEAR BOSS
Alex Beaton, "Daft Ditties"
Danny O'Flaherty, "The Celtic Folk, Vol. 4"
Michael Gallagher, "Collection - The First 25 Years... Or So"
Mike Barrett, "Unpubbed"
Moron Bros, "Lardo & Burley on Tour!"
Robbie O'Connell, "Humorous Songs - Live"
Seamus Kennedy, "Seamus Kennedy Live!"
The Clancy Brothers, "The Clancy Brothers Live!"
The Don't Be Brothers, "Born to Play"

DEAR BOSS (BRICKS)
Various Artists, "Far and Back Again: Keepers Celtic"

DEAR BOSS (WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY)
John McGrath, "A Man You Don't Meet Every Day"

DEAR BOSS LETTER
Delicatessen, "Hustle into Bed"

MURPHY & THE BRICKS (SICKNOTE)
Various Artists, "Shamrock Shore"

MURPHY AND THE BRICKS
Cu Chulainn, "The Cream of Irish Folk"
Ireland, "Cream of Irish Folk"
Noel Murphy and The Mahogany Gaspipes, "A Session"
The Houghton Weavers, "The Keeper"
Various Artists, "Funny Irish Songs and Stories"
Various Artists, "King of the Fairies and Other Irish Hits"
Various Artists, "Macca by Request"
Various Artists, "Macca's Australia All Over, Number 4"

MURPHY AND THE BRICKS (SICK NOTE)
Various Artists, "Ultimate Irish Pub Party (Disc 1)"

PADDY AND THE SICK NOTE
Jeff Ward Band, "Jeff Ward Band"

SICK NOTE
Blackbeers, "Cuig"
Boxty, "A Pleasant Hour with Boxty"
Crossroad Ceili, "Traditional Songs of Ireland"
Foster & Allen, "Shades of Green"
Galipeau, Ken, "Fishin' with Ish"
Galleon, "Live - Thank You"
J.J. Smith, "Drink It with J.J."
Maco, "Two Little Boys"
Molly Maguire, "Jug of Joy!"
Muliple, "Best of Irish Pub Songs"
Paul Curran, "Give Us a Song"
Paul Morland, "Let's Sing Ireland"
Rise Up Singing, "Disk W: Work"
Ronnie Drew, "An Evening with Ronnie Drew"
TeN, "The Ten - Don't Bother Counting"
The Dubliners with Luke Kelly, "Special Collection, (Disc 2)"
The Merry Ploughboys, "MP3"
Various Artists, "101 Irish Ballards [CD 4 - Blue]"
Various Artists, "Cops for Cancer"
Various Artists, "Irish Folk Songs"
Various Artists, "Legends of Irish Folk"
Various Artists, "The Best Irish Pub Songs (Volume 2)"
Various Artists, "The Ultimate Irish Ballads - Vol 4"
Verschiedene Künstler, "The Celtic Collection (Disc 2)"

SICK NOTE (PADDY ON THE BRICKS)
Various Artists, "Beautiful Irish Ballads"

SICK NOTE/MURPHY & THE BRICK/BRICKLAYER SONG
Various Artists, "The Ultimate Irish Folk Collection"

SICK NOTE/MURPHY AND THE BRICK (BRICKLAYER SONG)
Various Artists, "Traditional Irish Pub Songs Vol. 1"

WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK DAY (sic)
Various Artists, "Magic Irish Voices"

WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY
Celtic Legends, "The Irish Folk Festival 2004"
Various Artists (Jackie Daley & Seamus Creagh), "The Irish Folk Festival on the Road (4th Irish Folk Festival)"
Various Artists, "Best of the Irish Folk Festival - Vol. 2"
Various Artists, "Ireland in My Heart"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Eileen.
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 06:10 AM

I have this on a single from Irish comic Brendan Grace.

BRENDAN AND THE BRICKS/ THE SICK NOTE. K.TEL. 2002.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 07:35 AM

I haven't noticed Sean Cannon being mentioned yet, but I'm sure that Jim Lloyd played a version by him on Folk on Two back in the eighties.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 09:38 AM

"Original" version as read out by Gerard Hoffnung at the Oxford Union in the 1950s (actually, according to Dick Gaughan's website it was an urban legend long before that)

I've got this thing here that I must read to you.
Now, this is a very tragic thing... I shouldn't, really, read it out.
A striking lesson in keeping the upper lip stiff is given in a recent number of the weekly bulletin of 'The Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors' that prints the following letter from a bricklayer in Golders Green to the firm for whom he works.

Respected sir,

when I got to the top of the building, I found that the hurricane had knocked down some bricks off the top. So I rigged up a beam, with a pulley, at the top of the building and hoisted up a couple of barrels of bricks.

When I had fixed the building, there was a lot of bricks left over.
I hoisted the barrel back up again and secured the line at the bottom and then went up and filled the barrel with the extra bricks.
Then, I went to the bottom and cast off the rope.

Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was heavier than I was and before I knew what was happening, the barrel started down, jerking me off the ground.

I decided to hang on.

Halfway up, I met the barrel coming down... and received a severe blow on the shoulder. I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers jammed in the pulley.

When the barrel hit the ground, it burst its bottom, allowing all the bricks to spill out.

I was now heavier than the barrel and so started down again at high speed.

Halfway down, I met the barrel coming up and received severe injury to my shins. When I hit the ground, I landed on the bricks, getting several painful cuts from the sharp edges.

At this point, I must have lost my presence of mind... because I let go of the line.

The barrel then came down, giving me a very heavy blow and putting me in hospital.

I respectfully request 'sick leave'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 10:45 AM

This is reputed to have been wreitten by PatCooksey.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: goatfell
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 10:49 AM

The Corries did a verseion of it on the LP Stovies

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 10:54 AM

From the [ahem] horse's mouth:

Over a long number of years there has been much speculation concerning this song. I wrote this song under it's original title Paddy and the Barrell in 1969, and first performed it in The Dyers Arms in Coventry at this time, and in 1972 Sean Cannon, later to become a member of the Dubliners began to perform it in the folk clubs under the title The Sick Note. The song was based on Gerard Hoffnung's wonderful address to the Oxford Union, but the story in a more simple form dates back to the English music halls in the 1920's and appeared in the Readers Digest in 1937. I personally gave the words of this song to Noel Murphy in a night club in Coventry in the early seventies and his only contribution to this song was to change the title to Murphy and the Bricks, and when this song was recorded Noel Murphy was obliged to remove his name from the writers credits, I still have a letter from Misty River Music to this effect. The song under more than 20 alternative titles has since been recorded more than 100 times worldwide, and in every version the words are identical. This song under all alternative titles has always been the exclusive copywright of myself, Pat Cooksey, and is registered with The Performing Rights Society in London. This includes Dear Boss by The Clancy brothers, The Bricklayers Song by The Corries and Ray Stevens, The Sick Note by The Dubliners, etc,etc, and also Murphy and the Bricks. No other artist had any input into this song nor is any claim for arrangement valid. Pat Cooksey, Nuremberg, Germany.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barrel (Sick Note) - discography
From: Midchuck
Date: 05 Jul 07 - 11:01 AM

A version very close to Edthefolkie's above, appears in "Buskin" by H. Allen Smith, which was published in the mid-sixties.

Peter.