[Link: page 1 of the Rockland County Messenger, July 8, 1852, a column titled "Poetry"]

The following was composed by a genuine son of the Emerald Isle, laboring in one of our Brick Yards, we insert it Verbatim.

A New Song Concerning the Brick Yards.

LABORER'S LAMENTATION

Come all ye hard laborers wherever ye be,
I pray pay attention and listen to me ;
Don't covet the Brick yards above all work going,
Or they will leave you to sigh a languishing moan.
Chorus, down, high down, derry down.

As for the Brick yards, I fear they are cursed,
Many a good man come there and goes back the worst ;
When he will rise int he morning, with sleep in his eyes,
He will scarcely get light his old bootees to tie.
Chorus, &c.

If you saw the pit shovelers, you would think they were mad,
They leap in the pit, without a hat on their head;
It's four by the clock boys, then they would say, —
I fear we shall loose one fourth of our day.
Chorus, &c.

As for the foreman, he is not much to blame,
Though he runs through the yard, and lets many a scream ;
If you heard the moulders, they are the worst of all
It's for the off bearers they loudly will call.
Chorus, &c.

It you saw the off bearers, you would pity their case,
They look black and dirty, with sweat on their face ;
As for the engine it runs very keen,
It will push out a mould with every wheel.
Chorus. &c.

As for the engineer, he is a smart man,
He runs the engine as fast as he can ;
If he was an off bearer, he would alter the case,
He would let her go at a very slow pace.
Chorus, &c.

Now as for the hackmen, you would think they are cracked,
They will roar, bawl and shout, with pain in their back ;
The hacks they won't stand, boys, and what will we do,
We must work bare naked, without hat or shoe.
Chorus, &c.

As for the kiln shed, it is a wholesome clime,
Though the men that works on it has very hard times;
If you saw the wheelers, I am sure they are teased ;
For the setters they sit on the brick at their ease.
Chorus, &c.

As for sloop loading, I know it is hard,
It's the most dangerous work that is on the yard ;
When the river is high, the run it is steep,
Both men, brick and barrows will fall in the deep.
Chorus, &c.

If you saw the loafers, sure you would feel hard,
When dinner is ready, they. are sure to be had ;
When their bellies are full, away they will go,
Around Creney's corner they will cut a great show.
Chorus, &c.

To speak of the Boss, he is not the worst,
He will come with his hands in his pocket, and a very long purse ;
Saying, boys, keep your courage up to the Fall,
I will pay you in specie every cent of it all.
Chorus, &c.

And now to conclude and to finish my song,
To mention the bell, I think I'm not wrong ;
When the Boss hears it, hurrah boys, he will say,
Go ahead to your work, for I think it's a clear day.
Chorus, &c.

Patrick Kalehigh