from https://www.oldhannah.com/lyrics

IRISH BOYS

Thomas Nash was killed while sleeping,
They said he sided with the union,
Here's a rise and hear it coming,
From Charleston down to Richmond.

Irish boys pushed the steel,
When all of those around them,
Cried yippee-tai-ai-ay,
While coming down the mountain.

They would meet down at that county store,
Boots for two and forty,
Holding to a notion
That the rain woud stop a-falling.

And laying frames before the midday,
A railroad for a living,
They left their bodies on the workline,
For just the change that they were given.

Irish boys pushed the steel,
When all of those around them,
Cried yippee-tai-ai-ay,
While coming down the mountain.

From Connaght where it started,
To Virginia where old Tommy met his end,
Where all the great Departed,
Came time and time and time again.

Irish boys pushed the steel,
When all of those around them,
Cried yippee-tai-ai-ay,
While coming down the mountain.

Yippee-tai-ai-ay.