I learned a slightly different version on grade school (in the 1970's):

In 1841, I put me courdroy britches on,
I put my courdroy britches on, a'working' on the railway

Filla-me-oo-ree-oo-ree-ay
Filla-me-oo-me-oo-ree-ay
Filla-me-oo-ree-oo-ree-ay
A'Workin' on the railway

The bosss' neame was Jack McGlenn
He kept a store to rob the men
A gentleman thief with pad and pen
A' Workin' on the railway

chorus

[the next verse was something about the boos's wife making some bread that was hard as rock]

chorus

[another verse ended with ....a tiny drop of rye, I'm certain that I'm gonna die, A'Workin' on the railway]