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Subject: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: thespionage Date: 17 Mar 05 - 11:25 AM I heard a version of this song, forgive me, on Shining Time Station. The other renditions I have heard did not include a chorus of "Fiddle-ay-ree-ay-ree-oh." Do you know such a version? Thanks, Russ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Sorcha Date: 17 Mar 05 - 11:30 AM Could it be this one? Digital Tradition Lyrics: PADDY WORKS ON THE RAILWAY (4) In eighteen hundred and forty-one My corduroy breeches I put on My corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-two I didn't know what I should do (2x) In eighteen hundred and forty-three I sailed away across the sea (2x) In eighteen hundred and forty-four I landed on Columbia's shore (2x) In eighteen hundred and forty-five When Daniel O'Connell he was alive (2x) In eighteen hundred and forty-six I made my trade to carrying bricks (2x) In eighteen hundred and forty-seven Poor Paddy was thinking of going to Heaven (2x) In eighteen hundred and forty-eight I learned to drink my whiskey straight (2x) printed in Bill Meek Songs of the Irish in America @train @work filename[ PADRAIL4 TUNE FILE: PADRAIL3 CLICK TO PLAY SOF
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: thespionage Date: 17 Mar 05 - 11:41 AM It's close. But it also doesn't have the chorus I discussed above. Thanks! I don't know why it didn't show up when I did a search before creating the thread. Russ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Sorcha Date: 17 Mar 05 - 12:10 PM Are you looking for one with or w/o the Fiddle-ay-ree-ay-ree-oh? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Lighter at work Date: 17 Mar 05 - 12:20 PM It's the first version I ever heard, about 1958. Filly me oorie oorie ay, Filly me oorie oorie ay, Filly me oorie oorie ay, While workin' on the railway ! The verses are pretty much the same as in other versions. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: PADDY WORKS ON THE RAILWAY From: GUEST,Mr Happy Date: 17 Mar 05 - 12:47 PM Maybe it's this one: [You'll notice there's actually 2 choruses in this version, because the tempo on some verses speeds up, then on others slows down again] PADDY WORKS ON THE RAILWAY In eighteen hundred and forty-one My corduroy breeches I put on My corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging hitches, I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-two From Hartlepool, I roved to Crewe And found meself a job to do working on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging hitches, I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-three I broke me shovel across me knee And I went to work for the company On the Leeds & Selby railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging hitches, I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-four I landed on the Liverpool shore Me belly was empty, me 'ands were raw With working on the railway,the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-five When Daniel O'Connell he was alive (2x) And working on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging hitches, I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-six I changed my trade from carrying bricks (2x) To working on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging hitches, I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-seven Poor Paddy was thinking of going to Heaven (2x) To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway Cheers, Mr H |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: masato sakurai Date: 17 Mar 05 - 01:17 PM At Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads: paddy on the railway [title] paddy on the railway! [title] At The Word on the Street: Broadside ballad entitled 'Paddy on the Railway' This is also titled "The Greenock Railway." |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Mrr Date: 17 Mar 05 - 01:24 PM These are all different from the one I had by Pete Seeger: In 1800 & 41 I put my corduroy britches on, put my corduroy britches on to work upon the railway Fiddle-y oo-ry oo-ry ay (x3) to work upon the railway in 1800 & 42 I left the old world for the new, bad cess to the luck that brought me through to work... In 1800 & 43 twas then I met sweet Biddy McGee, an elegant wife she's been to me while working on ... in 18 & 46 they pelted me with stones and bricks, I was in a helluva fix while working on... It's Pat, do this, and Pat, do that, without a stocking or cravat and nothing but an old straw hat while Pat works on... in 1800 & 47 sweet Biddy MgGee she went to heaven, if she left one kid, she left 11 to work upon the railway... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 17 Mar 05 - 01:55 PM I have never heard it without the vocables. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 17 Mar 05 - 05:37 PM Masato, those Bodleian texts look like a different song. (There is a similar broadside published aound 1865 by De Marsan at American Memory.). Mrr's version is close to the one I remember, but that had "In 1800 and 45, I found myself more dead than alive." "In 1800 and 46, I changed my trade to carryin' bricks." "In 1800 and 48, I learned to take me whiskey nate." There must have been an "1800 and 44" as well, but I can't recall it. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Fergie Date: 17 Mar 05 - 06:42 PM My grandfather sang: in 1848 Poor Paddy arrived at heaven's gate He was told he would get the Union rate while working on the railway the railway etc etc etc |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: HuwG Date: 17 Mar 05 - 07:23 PM I usually sing it normal for 1841 - 1845 ("[D]In eighteen hundred and forty-whatever I did whatever [A7]it was [D]I did whatever [G]it was [D]Working [A7]on the [D]railway") CH. Then "In eighteen hundred and forty six I stood on two dynamite sticks" Final A7 chord and stop dead. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,mg Date: 17 Mar 05 - 07:43 PM Hey, we are getting it...I learned it from my girl scout leader, Mrs. Kavanaugh..and the chorus was Eerie eerie Irio.. I remember the verses about dynamite sticks.. And 1848..St. Peter said you're way too late.. 43..station master's driving me.. I forget what I really learned and what we filled in but recently on some radio show I heard a version quite like the one I learned. mg |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Snuffy Date: 17 Mar 05 - 07:43 PM In eighteen hundred and forty-one Paddy O'Connor he first begun Paddy O'Connor he first begun To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-two With Daniel O'Connell he could not go With Daniel O'Connell he could not go To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway Sung by Captain Mark Page (born 1835) on Dictaphone cylinder 1929 for JM Carpenter. Probably the only recording (Folktrax 142) of the song by a singer who was actually alive before the events mentioned in the song |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 17 Mar 05 - 08:26 PM The Contemplator has it with a great MIDI : http://www.contemplator.com/america/paddywrk.html There's a picture of the 19th C. broadside in Norm Cohen's _Long Steel Rail_. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: thespionage Date: 18 Mar 05 - 02:56 PM I was looking for the one with "Filly me oorie oorie ay." Where does that fit in? (I hadn't realized Pete Seeger had done it.) Thanks again! Russ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: thespionage Date: 18 Mar 05 - 03:00 PM I remember the melody similar to, but a little different from, The Contemplator MIDI. Is that the standard melody, or are there other MIDIs around? Thanks. Russ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 18 Mar 05 - 08:07 PM Don't know about MIDIs, but there are two or three noticeably related but variant tunes. I say, feel free to sing it however you like. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Blackcatter Date: 01 Apr 05 - 04:01 PM In the DT is a version close to how I learned it in the 1970s: PATSY OREE AY (though I was taught it was called 1851) In eighteen hundred and fifty one American railroad just begun American railroad just begun Working on the railroad. Cho: Patsy-o-ree-o-ree-ay Patsy-o-ree-o-ree-ay Patsy-o-ree-o-ree-ay Working on the railroad. repeat verse and chorus, using: 1852 looking around for something to do 1853 railroad company accepted me 1854 found my back was mighty sore 1855 found myself more dead than alive 1856 stepped on a pile of dynamite sticks 1857 found myself on the way to heaven 1858 pickin' the lock at the pearly gate 1859 floating around in the clouds sublime I learned the chorus as: Fiddle-ly-or-ee-or-ee-ay (3X) Working on the railroad. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST Date: 04 Dec 05 - 01:28 PM Paddy on the railway pickin'up stanes Along came an engine an' broke Paddy's brains "Oh" said Paddy,"That's no fair" "Oh" said the engine man, ye shouldn't be there. From paddybile. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST Date: 28 Sep 10 - 05:33 AM 1851 that the year that i begun, thats the year that i begun working on the railroad Cho: Patsy-o-ree-o-ree-ay Patsy-o-ree-o-ree-ay Patsy-o-ree-o-ree-ay Working on the railroad. 52 looking aroud for something to do, looking around or something to do working on the rail road 53 section boss is driving me 54 hand and feet are gettin sore 55 found my self more dead then alive 56 kicking a couple of dynamite sticks 57 found my self on the way to heaven 58 picking the lock on the perly gate 59 finally at the age of drinking wine. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 28 Sep 10 - 07:25 AM Bob Conroy and Norm Pederson recorded this on CD two years agao under the title Pat do this and Pat do that. Very nice version of the song well sung. They live in Staten Island and Bob has been the leader of the band Stout for nearly 40 years. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: mg Date: 28 Sep 10 - 10:09 PM Guest my version is almost identical to yours and I have only seen that set of lyrics once before...except I think we sang 41 etc.. 1848 or 58...st. peter says you're way too late 1849 satan says you're right on time..to work upon the railway I always wodnered if we just added those verses but I think I have seenthem. Anyway, where did you learn this? I learned in Girl Scouts from an irish American woman..mg |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Dave Date: 16 Jan 11 - 12:34 PM I learned the song in the late 1950's, probably from my father (who still sings it) or at a YMCA day camp in upstate New York. I vaguely remember that there were slight differences between those versions, but can't pinpoint them. The lyrics that are ingrained in my memory are sufficiently mutated from those previously posted that I thought it worth offering them: Chorus: Patsy-o-ree-i-ree-ay, Patsy-o-ree-i-ree-ay, Patsy-o-ree-i-ree-ay, A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-one, The railway line had just begun, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-two, Found myself with nothing to do, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-three, The section boss was driving me, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-four, My feet were tired and my back was sore, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-five, Found myself more dead than alive, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-six, Stepped on a couple of dynamite sticks, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-seven, Found myself on the way to heaven, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-eight, Picked the lock on the Pearly Gate, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-nine, Found myself on Cloud Nine, (3x) A workin' on the railway. In eighteen hundred and forty-ten, Like my story I'll tell it again, (3x) A workin' on the railway. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Abby Sale Date: 16 Jan 11 - 01:21 PM I never thought of "Paddy" as a chantey until I found it in Frederick Pease Harlow, Chantying Aboard American Ships, p139. And why not? He gives fairly standard verses and then: In eighteen hundred and forty-nine, I then concluded to resign, (2x) From working on the railway, In eighteen fifty, I soon found, Meself shanghaied, for Frisco bound, (2x) To work upon the railway, The railway started me to roam, But the sea is hell and I can't get home, (2x) To work upon the railway, |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 22 Jul 11 - 10:26 AM Except for Paddy working on the railway, there's no obvious resemblance between the broadside ballad and the song/sea shanty. The minor tune, popularized by Alan Lomax and Pete Seeger, first appears (more or less) in 1891, in a college song book. It resembles that of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home/ Johnny Fill Up the Bowl." Many Civil War versions of the latter begin, "In eighteen hundred and sixty-one,/ This cruel war it was begun." My guess is that the minor tune of "Paddy" was inspired by that, but that it took some years to catch on. The earliest mention of the shanty (no tune) is in 1864. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Gibb Sahib Date: 23 Jul 11 - 12:34 AM That's useful info about the tune forms, Lighter. The earliest reference I have in my notes comes from G.E. Clark, 1867, _Seven Years of a Sailor's Life_. I'm curious to know your 1864 reference, if you'd care to share. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 25 Jul 11 - 10:20 AM From the passengers' shipboard paper of the Blackballer "Young America," London to Moreton Bay, 1864, in C. Fox Smith, "Sailor Town Days" (Methuen, 1923): "We might mention as peculiar amongst the other strange songs that we nightly hear, one which we think must be called 'Pat's Apprenticeship,' as it goes through the history of a number of years during which 'Poor Paddy works on the railway.' What becomes of him eventually we have not yet been able to discover, but we suppose that the line is not yet finished." It was sung at the pumps. |
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Subject: ADD: Pat Gets on an Airplane (Jerry Praver) From: Bev and Jerry Date: 25 Jul 11 - 11:38 PM And here's a somewhat more modern version: PAT GETS ON AN AIRPLANE (Jerry Praver)
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Gibb Sahib Date: 26 Jul 11 - 02:08 AM Thanks, Lighter. *** RR Terry's comments might be of interest, even if their accuracy is to be disputed. In, Terry, R.R. 1920. "Sailor Shanties (I)." _Music and Letters_ 1(1):35-44. Bullen included in his collection..."Poor Paddy works on the Railway," and his expressed dislike for it was doubtless due to the commonly accepted opinion that it was not a genuine shanty, but had been imported wholesale from "The Christy Minstrels" who flourished in the 'fifties. [Actually, they started in 1843] But I think it is not sufficiently understood that just as sailors borrowed and adapted tunes from any and every source, so did the Christy Minstrels. Without wishing to be dogmatic, I have the following reason for thinking that "The Christies " annexed "Poor Paddy" from the sailor, and not vice versa. Mr. James Runciman (who died in 1891 [born 1852, Terry's uncle]) gave me a shanty which he had learnt from a great-uncle of his, the melody of which is nothing more or less than that of " Poor Paddy." I place the two side by side for purposes of comparison :— THE SHAVER. When I was a little tiny boy, I went to sea in Stormy's employ. I sail'd away across the sea, When I was just a Shaver, a Shaver. It's I was weary of the sea, when I was just a Shaver. Oh they whacked me up, and they whacked me down. The Mate he cracked me on the crown. They whacked me round, and round, and round. When I was just a Shaver. It's I was weary, etc. [my rendition, for example] POOR PADDY WORKS ON THE RAILWAY. In eighteen hundred and forty one, My corduroy breeches I put on, My corduroy breeches I put on, To work upon the railway, the railway. I'm weary of the railway, Oh poor Paddy works on the railway. So here at any rate we have an instance of a tune, universally attributed to the Christy Minstrels, but which (whatever its original source) was actually sung at sea before the Christy Minstrels came into existence. [This statement cannot be verified.] |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Gaurav Date: 15 Sep 11 - 09:56 AM PNR means Passenger Name Record. It is basically a travel record of a single individual or group of individuals that is stored in Railway computerized reservation system. It is a ten digit number written on the top left corner of rail ticket provided to a person whenever he goes for rail ticketing for a train journey. This PNR number presents the current status of a passenger's reservation. By using reservation status device a passenger can find out the - confirmed, waiting or in RAC status. http://www.irctcpnrstatusinfo.com/ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST Date: 17 Sep 11 - 08:43 AM In eighteen hundred and forty one Me corduroy breeches I put on Me corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty two From Hartlepool I moved to Crewe And I found meself a job to do Workin' on the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty three I broke me shovel across me knee Went to work with a company In the Leeds and Selby Railway, railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty four I landed on the Liverpool shore Me belly was empty, me hands were sore With workin' on the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty five When Daniel O'Connell he was alive Daniel O'Connell he was alive And workin' on the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty six I changed me trade from carryin' bricks Changed me trade from carryin' bricks To workin' on the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty seven Poor Paddy was thinkin' of goin' to Heaven, (God bless him) And if he left one child then he left eleven All workin' on the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway IRCTC PNR STATUS |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,evanvwk Date: 14 Aug 12 - 06:36 PM I remember this from Shining Time Station also. Haven't been able to get it out of my head since. http://youtu.be/MXqIOhH-8T4 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Mr Happy Date: 20 Jul 13 - 04:44 PM Bev and Jerry, Love your PAT GETS ON AN AIRPLANE version - LOL! However, it's somewhat futuristic, is it a prophecy? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Les in Chorlton Date: 21 Jul 13 - 05:45 AM I learned the "Patsy orie orie ay" version in the scouts and the "Phillami orie orie ay" version from the Spinners. This version: In eighteen hundred and forty one Me corduroy breeches I put on Me corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing corduroy britches Digging ditches, pulling switches Dodging bitches I was working on the railway with the change of rhythm and quite different chorus I first heard on a Dubliner's record but I think this song was recorded by Ewan MacColl and he claims it was collected 'in a loco shed in Newton Heath, Manchester'. How much was collected by MacColl and how much was arranged or regenerated is hard to tell. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 21 Jul 13 - 09:21 AM According to MacColl, he stuck it together from two separate versions. Hence the variation. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Les in Chorlton Date: 21 Jul 13 - 11:45 AM Sounds right Ms/Mr Lighter |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Richard from Liverpool Date: 21 Jul 13 - 12:12 PM I think the composite version appearing above is the one from "The Shuttle and Cage: Industrial Folk Ballads" ed. Ewan MacColl; there he combines a version from Hellefield, Yorkshire (which is the version that contains the "I was wearing corduroy britches..." chorus) with one collected from Albert Gilmore of Birkenhead (in which the verses end "I'm weary of the railway... poor paddy works on the railway"). (As for being collected in Newton Heath, it's quite possible he claimed that elsewhere, but it's also possible people are mixing it up with other railway songs like Moses of the Mail that he lists as collected in Newton Heath?) As has been noted above, The Spinners recorded a version with the "Fillimiooriay" chorus (using that as the title) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Richard from Liverpool Date: 21 Jul 13 - 12:19 PM Actually, when I first heard that MacColl was talking about it as a song collected from railwaymen, I was surprised because I'd thought of it fairly exclusively as a shanty rather than a "land" song. But then again, I've been told that the "Railwaymen" of Crewe Alexandra Football Club (a town where traditionally the Railway was the primary source of employment) used to sing "Poor Paddy" as one of their terrace songs. As for earlier sources on this song, Edward Keble Chatterton, in a 1923 book called The Mercantile Marine, quotes Liverpool shipowner Sir William B. Forwood: "On the morning of the 20th November, 1857, I embarked by a tender from the Liverpool pierhead. It was nearly the top of high water. The crew were mustered on the forecastle, under the 1st Mate, Mr. Taylor. An order comes from the quarter-deck. ' Heave up the anchor and get away.' Aye, aye, sir.' 'Now then, my boys, man the windlass,' shouts the Mate, and to a merry chantie: 'In 1847 Paddy Murphy went to Heaven To work on the railway, the railway, the railway, Oh, poor Paddy works upon the railway' 'The anchor is away, sir,' shouts the Chief Officer. 'Heave it a-peak and cathead it,' comes from the quarter-deck, and the tug retriever forges ahead and tightens the tow-rope as we gather way. Bang, bang went the guns, and twice more, for we were carrying the mails, and good-bye to old Liverpool, and the crowds which lined the pierhead cheered, for the Red Jacket was already a famous ship, and it was hoped she would make a record passage." (I used the above information on my Liverpool folk song a week blog, although I have a feeling that I first saw it unearthed by Gibb Sahib) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Richard from Liverpool Date: 21 Jul 13 - 12:28 PM Further to the Crewe Alexandra link I mention in the post above, just re-found a thread I once saw on the Crewe Alexandra F.C. fan forum discussing this song: http://www.crewe.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10314 From that thread it emerges that Crewe fans used to sing a version that goes something like this: In eighteen hundred and forty one Me corduroy breeches I put on Me corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! In eighteen hundred and forty two From Hartlepool I rove to Crewe And I found meself a job to do Workin' on the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! In eighteen hundred and forty three I broke me shovel across me knee And went to work with the company On the Leeds and Selby Railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! In eighteen hundred and forty four I landed on the Liverpool shore Me belly was empty, me hands were raw With workin' on the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! In eighteen hundred and forty five When Daniel O'Connell he was alive Daniel O'Connell he was alive And workin' on the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! In eighteen hundred and forty six I changed me trade from carryin' bricks Changed me trade from carryin' bricks To work upon the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! In eighteen hundred and forty seven Poor Paddy was thinkin' of goin' to heaven Poor Paddy was thinkin' of goin' to heaven To work upon the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! Now let me tell you this fine day Do not work on the railway Cos you will get no f#**ing pay For working on the railway Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay,Fil-i-me-oo-re-i-re-ay, to work upon the railway! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 21 Jul 13 - 12:40 PM Great 1857 find, Richard. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Paddy on the Railway From: Mr Happy Date: 21 Jul 13 - 12:50 PM Richard from Liverpool, Great info, many thanks!! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 01 Oct 19 - 03:42 PM From William Charles Scully, "Reminiscences of a South African Pioneer "(London: T. F. Unwin, 1913), p. 50: “So one lovely day, in early November of 1867 [when I was 12] we embarked at Dublin on a small paddle-steamer called the Lady Eglinton [bound for Falmouth]. …The only memory that remains is connected with a ridiculous episode. "There was a drunken Irish soldier on board. He was a good-natured creature who made himself most embarrassingly friendly towards all and sundry of the passengers. Eventually he tried to embrace one of the ladies. For this misdemeanor, which I am persuaded was based on no evil intention, he was trussed and tied down on the hatch, close to the wheel. But the man must have been a philosopher, for his bonds distressed him not at all. For several hours he lifted up his voice in continuous song. His repertoire was extensive and varied. To this day I can clearly recall the words as well as the tune of two of his ditties. One related to the history of a pair of corduroy breeches, year by year, since the close of the last decade, each year being treated of in a couplet. The first verse ran thus: “ ‘In eighteen hundred and sixty-one Those corduroy breeches were begun.’ “Eventually, in the then current year 1867, ‘Those corduroy breeches went up to heaven.’ “But they must have come down again, for it was prophetically related that in 1868, ‘Those corduroy breeches lost their sate.’ “Following this came a lyric, having for its theme the pangs of despised love, and the faithlessness of the fair. Its refrain ran, “ ‘Oh, surely the wimmin is worse than the min, For they go to the Devil and come back agin.’” “Towards the afternoon the minstrel sank into slumber. To judge by the expression of his face his dreams must have been happy ones.” |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Paddy on the Railway From: Mrrzy Date: 02 Oct 19 - 01:24 PM Love the plane one. I know I know Pete Seeger's version but the ditches switches chorus is somehow also familiar. Who else did that one? |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Paddy on the Railway From: beachcomber Date: 03 Oct 19 - 11:41 AM Sounds like another "piss-take" on the Irish in the UK in the 19th C. Daniel O'Connell, who is mentioned in the lyric, was, of course, an Irish lawyer and MP whose perseverance in Westminster brought about law reform to allow Catholics to practise their religion in Ireland. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Paddy on the Railway From: GUEST,Stacy Date: 18 Sep 23 - 12:41 AM 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] |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Paddy on the Railway From: Charley Noble Date: 21 Sep 23 - 11:17 AM We were musing about the dozens of verses to this old work song when I came up with this one: In twenty twenty-three, I shipped again out to sea, I shipped again out to sea, To hell with working on the railway! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Paddy on the Railway From: Lighter Date: 21 Sep 23 - 01:21 PM Capt. David A. McLeod (1857-1940) recalls his first days on shipboard, in 1873, in "Cape Breton Captain" (not published till 1992): "I heard the mate (he was an old country Irishman) singing out in a pleasant cheery voice: 'Now then, boys, strike a light, it's duller than a graveyard.' One of the sailors, a good chanty man, started in [raising the anchor] with: In eighteen hundred and fifty-six I found myself in a H--l of a fix From working on the railway - the railway Oh poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and fifty-seven When Daniel O'Connell he went to heaven He worked upon the railway - the railway Oh poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and fifty-eight I was outward bound for the Golden Gate To work upon the railway - the railway Oh poor Paddy worked on the railway and so on to the end of the century." (Well, not quite!) |
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