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19 Jul 97 - 08:54 PM (#9079) Subject: Why Paddy isn't at Work Today / Paddy's Work Song From: Jon Baade Anybody got the words and chords to this song? Thanks in advance, Jon Thread #47508 Message #708772 Posted By: GUEST,Pat Cooksey. 11-May-02 - 08:16 AM Thread Name: the sick note/ murphy and the bricks. Subject: Origins: the sick note/ murphy and the bricks.
Over a long number of years there has been much speculation concerning this song. I wrote this song under it's original title Paddy and the Barrell in 1969, and first performed it in The Dyers Arms in Coventry at this time, and in 1972 Sean Cannon, later to become a member of the Dubliners began to perform it in the folk clubs under the title The Sick Note. The song was based on Gerard Hoffnung's wonderful address to the Oxford Union, but the story in a more simple form dates back to the English music halls in the 1920's and appeared in the Readers Digest in 1937. I personally gave the words of this song to Noel Murphy in a night club in Coventry in the early seventies and his only contribution to this song was to change the title to Murphy and the Bricks, and when this song was recorded Noel Murphy was obliged to remove his name from the writers credits, I still have a letter from Misty River Music to this effect. The song under more than 20 alternative titles has since been recorded more than 100 times worldwide, and in every version the words are identical. This song under all alternative titles has always been the exclusive copywright of myself, Pat Cooksey, and is registered with The Performing Rights Society in London. This includes Dear Boss by The Clancy brothers, The Bricklayers Song by The Corries and Ray Stevens, The Sick Note by The Dubliners, etc,etc, and also Murphy and the Bricks. No other artist had any input into this song nor is any claim for arrangement valid. Pat Cooksey, Nuremberg, Germany.
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19 Jul 97 - 10:29 PM (#9083) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Barry Finn search the DT for 'Why Paddy Not At Work Today' or Excuse Note. Barry |
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19 Jul 97 - 10:38 PM (#9085) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Bobby O'Brien The proper name to this song is "The Bricklayer" and as soon as I get a second, I will type out the words :) |
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21 Jul 97 - 11:40 AM (#9146) Subject: Lyr Add: WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY^^^ From: Joe Tully Dear Boss. Dear Boss I write this note to you, to tell you of my plight and at the time of writing I am not a pretty sight. Me body is all black and blue and my face a deadly gray. So I hope you'll understand, why I'm not at work today. I was workin' on the 14th floor, some bricks I had to clear. And throwin' 'em down from such a height, was not a good idea. The foreman wasn't very pleased, he bein' an awful sod, he said I'd have to take them down the ladder in me hod. Now shiftin' all those bricks by hand seemed so awful slow. So I hoisted up a barrel and secured a rope below. But in my haste to do the job, I was too blind to see, that a barrel full of buildin' bricks was heavier than me. So when I untied the rope the barrel fell like lead and clinging tightly to the rope, I started up instead. I shot up like a rocket and to my dismay I found that halfway up, I met the bloody barrel comin' down. The barrel broke me shoulder, as to the ground it sped And when I reached the top, I struck the pulley with me head I still clung on though numbed with shock, from this almighty blow. Then the barrel spilled out half the bricks some 14 floors below. Now when the bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor, I then outweighed the barrel and I started down once more. Still clinging tightly to the rope, I headed for the ground and I fell among the broken bricks that were all scattered 'round As I lay there moaning on the floor, I thought I'd passed the worst. But the barrel struck the pulley wheel and then the bottom burst. A shower of bricks came down on me, I didn't have a hope and as I was losing consciousness, I let go the bloody rope. Now the barrel it being heavier, it started down once more and it landed right across me, as I lay there on the floor. I broke three ribs and my left arm and I can only say; That I hope you'll understand, Why I'm not at work today!
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21 Jul 97 - 01:17 PM (#9158) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: dick greenhaus If the words are in the database, you don't HAVE to re-post them. |
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23 Apr 04 - 12:12 AM (#1168607) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST I'm looking for the chords for this song. Dpes anyone have them or knows where to find them |
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23 Apr 04 - 02:40 PM (#1169231) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca From thread #560 Subject: RE: The Sick Note From: GUEST,weerover Date: 18 Aug 03 - 03:13 PM The chords should be readily available as the tune (as I have heard it) is the same as "The Garden Where the Praties Grow"
Now, I don't know the tune, but usually I've heard it as a recitation rather than a song with guitar. |
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14 Nov 04 - 03:34 AM (#1326246) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,val williams - val@williams2003.freeserve.co Where can I buy a C.D of this song. |
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14 Nov 04 - 03:46 AM (#1326247) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: George Papavgeris On Pat Cooksey's website here you can get a download of "The Sick Note", or alternatively buy it through CD Baby (link on the same page); it's in the album titled "Words". |
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14 Nov 04 - 05:41 PM (#1326719) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Eammon. I heard Cooksey himself sing this right at the end of his show last night, a huge crowd were totally silent as he sang it, he is a great showman, and also a billiant singer. |
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14 Nov 04 - 06:47 PM (#1326777) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Shanghaiceltic Paul Curran our lead on vocals sings this quite often but allways unacommpanied. |
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15 Nov 04 - 08:04 AM (#1327220) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Paul Lyons. Cooksey usually sings this unaccompanied, but I also heard him do it with guitar backing, Ronnie Drew of the Dubliners also does a great job on this song. |
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15 Nov 04 - 09:49 AM (#1327308) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,John Barden Hi Mudcatters, This appears to be a good time for me to come in here on this subject. Like Pat Cooksey, I am living in the southern part of Germany. However I have been living in Germany for more years than I may want to admit. Still Germany has been very good to me as a singer/songwriter. I first met up with Pat about 2 years ago after having recorded his very beautiful song "The reason I left Mullingar". He was most kind with his comments about my recording and felt that my version was one of the best he had heard. Please remember that I am competing here with big names like "The Fureys" and many other very well known names on the Irish folk scene. This very weekend past, I had the pleasure of playing two excellent gigs alongside Pat. We shared the bill and I have to say that Pat is a pure professional. On the Friday evening Pat started the show and after a small break I played my set. I have to say that we both have very different styles of playing and singing, but that`s what makes things interesting for the audience I feel. We both played the last set together which gave me the chance to sing some harmonies and accompany Pat on Bouzouki and Mandolin. We really had great fun. On the Saturday night we did a similar kind of show, however this time I started the show and Pat came in after some excellent scottish piping from Thomas. Again like myself, Pat is planning to introduce a new live CD early in the New Year. Pat also does quite a lot of touring with Sean Cannon of the "Dubliners" and they should be touring again soon. Check out his website for the tour dates. Once again, I had a great and funny weekend with an excellent musician. Thanks Pat and hope to see you soon again. If anyone is interested, please visit my website at: www.john-barden.de You can click on the MP3 page and listen in to some samples of my CDs. I also have a guestbook where you can pay a compliment or insult me, depending on how you are feeling. Bye for now John |
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15 Nov 04 - 06:32 PM (#1327829) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey. Hi John. It was indeed a great weekend, a pleasure to play with you, I'm sure there will be more of the same in the future. |
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15 Nov 04 - 07:30 PM (#1327882) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Bee-dubya-ell I've always done this song unaccompanied. But, I heard a guitar accompanied version on "Thistle & Shamrock" the other night and realized that there is an advantage to having accompaniment. The whole point of the song is to make people laugh, right? Well, if you're singing unaccompanied and a part of the song gets a good laugh from the audience, it breaks the rhythm if you wait for the audience to finish laughing before starting the next verse. So, you have to plow right on into the next verse and the audience may miss part of the song. Accompanying yourself on guitar gives you the option of doing an extra little four-beat strum (or two) to allow the audience to "catch up with you". |
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16 Nov 04 - 05:22 AM (#1328322) Subject: RE: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Gerry. I have heard this song done with a fiddle backing, with the last few notes repeated between each verse, which allowed the laughter to subside before the next verse. |
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20 Nov 04 - 05:35 PM (#1333933) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,kevin@plant7690freeserve.co.uk can anyone help me a lady in a charity shop asked if i knew how she could get hold of a copy of why paddy isnt at work today as this would remind her of her husband as this was a favourite of his |
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20 Nov 04 - 08:17 PM (#1334088) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Paul King, Sussex. You can download the song from the master himself at www.patcooksey.com There are hundreds of recorded versions but to hear the man who wrote the song is something special. |
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11 Feb 05 - 11:00 PM (#1406756) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,GUEST So nobody here actually knows the chords, or has seen a guitar TAB of this song? |
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12 Feb 05 - 02:08 AM (#1406922) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: The Fooles Troupe The Myth Busters had a go at this - didn't mention the Cooksey song at all, but claimed it originally went back to nearly WWI. |
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12 Feb 05 - 09:42 AM (#1407131) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Snuffy The tune is The Garden where the Praties Grow, slowed down. You should be able to find tab for that quite easily |
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12 Feb 05 - 10:57 AM (#1407188) Subject: Chords Add: WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY From: Leadfingers C G C Dear Sir I write this note to inform you of my plight F C D7 G And at the time of writing I am not a pretty sight F C D7 Am My body is all black and blue, my face a deathly gray C G C I write this note to tell why Paddy's not at work today There's a basic chord run that seems to fit , but if any one wants to correct it , feel free - I've only ever done it on whistle backing Noel Murphy ! |
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12 Feb 05 - 04:42 PM (#1407509) Subject: Chords Add: WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY From: Uncle_DaveO It's clear that Leadfingers and I have a different conception of the tune, because I cannot make at least certain of his chords work with this song as I sing it. So here's MY take, which is simpler than his: C F C Dear Sir I write this note to inform you of my plight F C G7 And at the time of writing I am not a pretty sight F C G7 My body is all black and blue, my face a deathly gray C F C I write this note to tell why Paddy's not at work today Dave Oesterreich |
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13 Feb 05 - 07:49 AM (#1408061) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Leadfingers(back door again) Dave - We obviously havetotallt different tunes to this - All i know is what Noel Murphy does with it ! But at least its a guide for other people , and still a cracking good song ! |
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13 Feb 05 - 09:43 AM (#1408082) Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST Leadfingers, I see where the problem is. The chord indications don't stay where they were intended. My last post, for instance, is essentially unplayable (or I guess unsingable) as it shows up on the screen. The chords are way out of position. And yours seems to suffer the same problem. I tried using your chords and adjusting where they fell, and it's fine. Dave Oesterreich |
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13 Feb 05 - 02:46 PM (#1408304) Subject: Chords Add: WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY From: Murray MacLeod Why doesn't everybody adopt the convention of putting the chords in brackets within the lyrics. ? Joe Offer is the only person who can do it correctly the other way . Dear(C) Sir I write this (G)note to in(F)form you of my (C) plight And (F) at the time of(C) writing I am (D7) not a pretty (G) sight My(F)body is all (C) black and blue, my (Dm) face a deathly (F) grey I (C)write this note to (G) tell why Paddy's (F) not at work to(C)day These are the definitive chords, assuming you are singing in the key of C. |
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05 Sep 06 - 02:52 PM (#1827663) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Kos I first came across the words in a lesson where it was used as an example of discriptive writing. This was early in 1967. Now this is a long time ago but I seem to remember that the author was one Leonard Cohen. I have failed to confirm this but the words are readily available if you type "the barrel of bricks" into a search engine. |
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05 Sep 06 - 04:02 PM (#1827710) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Don Firth My first acquaintance with this was not as a song, but as a skit. It was about 1950 or so when I was a freshman at the University of Washington. A student organization I belonged to did a program of songs and skits, and I took part in one of the skits (this was a year or two before I became interested in folk music and took up the guitar). The fellow who was putting the thing together took one of the skits out of a book. I'm not sure, but I think the book may have been The Desert Island Decameron, compiled and edited by writer and humorist H. Allen Smith. It was a script from the Sunday night radio program "The Fred Allen Show." The skit was a "courtroom drama" with "Judge Allen" presiding. As I recall it, Instead of a sick note, the poor sod was suing the construction company that employed him because of injuries on the job. I was cast in the role of the poor victim. They wrapped me up in bandages like a mummy and carried me in on a stretcher. I delivered my testimony lying flat on my back, going through the whole routine of the foreman's unreasonable request, my slightly less than brilliant idea, and my many unfortunate encounters with the barrel of bricks. It was one of my finer moments as an actor (I had all the good lines), and the audience was howling with laughter. Lotsa fun! When, at an informal party during one of the Northwest Folklife Festivals a couple of decades ago, I heard one of the Vancouver B.C. singers sing the routine to the tune of "I Met Her in the Garden Where the Praties Grow," of course I immediately recognized it. I learned the song and have since performed it (unaccompanied) a number of times, always with good effect. Many thanks to Pat Cooksey for putting this into song form. Don Firth |
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05 Sep 06 - 04:03 PM (#1827713) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: alanabit Groan... For more information about the author (Mudcat's own Pat Cooksey) please read some of the other threads listed above this one. |
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05 Sep 06 - 04:05 PM (#1827714) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: alanabit Sorry Don. We cross posted. My reply was to the previous poster. |
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05 Sep 06 - 04:46 PM (#1827761) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Chris Green It also featured (not as a song but as a monologue) in Gerald Hoffnung's address to the Oxford Union in 1959. |
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05 Sep 06 - 05:25 PM (#1827810) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Don Firth Hi, Alan. Yeah, GUEST,Kos should have read the thread a bit before posting, because above, Pat Cooksey explains how he came to write the song. Leonard Cohen's written some good stuff, but that one? Nope. Don Firth |
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05 Sep 06 - 06:06 PM (#1827851) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Rumncoke I'm not sure if it is the right tune, I use the same tune as for the song which begins 'It's of a gentleman soldier as a sentry he did stand. He kindly saluted a fair maid by a waving of his hand So boldly then he kissed her but passed it off as a joke He drilled her into the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's coat' With no need for the chorus. With the capo on the third fret the chords I use are C G7 C/F C G7/F C G7/C G7 C with the general policy of starting with the first one at the beginning of a line and continuing until it is necessary to change it. My being of the female persuasion and an approximate alto, other singers will need to adjust capo and/or transpose to suit. I remember one of my uncles has a record of Hoffnung reading this tale and I ached with laughter on hearing it. |
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15 Jan 07 - 07:32 PM (#1937755) Subject: An Hilarious Recitation From: Amos An Hilarious Recitation is now made available of this sorry tale about Paddy's Request for Sick Leave, among other amusing anecdotes, and bon mots, in the round, pear-like tones of Gerald Hoffnung addressing the Oxford Union, producing great quantities of merriment. It is to be found by merely clicking upon this humble but effective link and listening unto the destination thereof. Regards, A |
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15 Jan 07 - 08:34 PM (#1937801) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Anglo Nice going, Amos. I used to own the LP, along with other Hoffnung memorabilia (remember the Concerto for Orchestra and Vacuum Cleaner?), but it took a walk (or perhaps I did) many years ago. |
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16 Jan 07 - 10:26 AM (#1938251) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Lighter Our local NPR station played the recording of Hoffnung's story this past Sunday. |
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16 Jan 07 - 10:50 AM (#1938281) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Mrrzy I have this by The Clancy Brothers, I think with Robbie O'Connel. Note that the lyrics posted above are missing one verse - he hits the barrel on the way up and on the way down. |
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16 Jan 07 - 11:03 AM (#1938296) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,Pilgrim The verse you are missing goes something along the lines of Now when the bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor, I then outweighed the barrel and I started down once more. Still clinging tightly to the rope, My body racked with pain. And halfway down I met the bloomin barrel once again. The force of this collision halfway down th office block Caused multiple abrasions and a nasty case of shock STill clinging tightly to the the rope, I sped towards the ground and I fell among the broken bricks that were all scattered 'round |
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16 Jan 07 - 04:27 PM (#1938675) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: danensis If the song is based on Gerard Hoffnung's address to the Oxford Union in 1959 how can Pat Cooksey lay claim to it, or doesn't copyright work the same way as patents and "prior art"? John |
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16 Jan 07 - 04:32 PM (#1938681) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Leadfingers Gerard Hofnung adapted an earlier piece as a purely SPOKEN item - Pat Cooksey took the idea and turned it into a song , which was as original as writing a song based on a joke ! More power (and ROYALTIES) to Pat's elbow ! |
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16 Jan 07 - 04:40 PM (#1938696) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Abby Sale danensis: If you read the other threads shown at the top, the whole history will be clear; especially see Sam Hinton's comments. In short, the story goes way at least to 1937 for a sailor's woes. Hoffnung adapted it brilliantly as a recitation. Cooksey has sole and indisputable claim to its adaptation as a song. If you sing it you should always credit him and be prepared for one or to people saying, "I believe it's actually by ..." (I did only 2 weeks ago.) It's Cooksey. |
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04 Nov 07 - 08:17 AM (#2186125) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST,chords for murphy and the bricks chord this is wat i think cause im not sure c g c f c d g f c f am c g c the same thing over and over |
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04 Nov 07 - 11:33 AM (#2186243) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Mo the caller I remember someone performing the monologue in a Holiday Fellowship concert in the late 60s. He said he'd got it from a church magazine and had been performing it for years before Hoffnung. FWIW I prefer the monologue. |
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05 Nov 07 - 12:46 AM (#2186577) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Brendy From the first post to the thread, supposedly quoting Pat: "The song was based on Gerard Hoffnung's wonderful address to the Oxford Union.", whereas Here, on his website, he distinctly refutes this: "It is generally assumed that I based this song on Gerard Hoffnung's wonderful address to THE OXFORD UNION in 1958. This is not correct." B. |
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05 Nov 07 - 12:51 AM (#2186578) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: Brendy Apologies for the bad html... .... whereas Here, on his website, he distinctly refutes this "It is generally assumed that I based this song on Gerard Hoffnung's wonderful address to THE OXFORD UNION in 1958. This is not correct." :-) B. |
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05 Nov 07 - 12:45 PM (#2186866) Subject: RE: Origins: Why Paddy isn't at work today From: GUEST Guest, I play to same chords except the D, don't know where that came from. Rog |