[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
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