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Many of the workers who sang were Irish. Some songs were adaptations of Irish folk songs, and some were new songs sung in the style of those songs from the “old country.” (source)
Lyrics
(Folk song)
1. In eighteen hundred and forty-one I put me corduroy breeches on
I put me corduroy breeches on to work upon the railway
Refrain
Fil-i-me-oo-ree-eye-ri-ay
Fil-i-me-oo-ree-eye-ri-ay
Fil-i-me-oo-ree-eye-ri-ay
To work upon the railway
2. 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 the railway. Refrain
3. And, when Pat lays him down to sleep, the wiry bugs around him creep,
And hardly a bit can poor Pat sleep, while he works on the railway. Refrain
See also
- Subjects: railroad workers / train
- Form: AB
- Meter: 6/8
- Scale: natural minor
- Sources: Wee Sing America, Pamela Conn Beall, Susan Hagen Nipp, 2005 / Source: The American Songbag, Carl Sandburg, Harcourt Brace and Company, 1927
- more lyrics
- Different version of song: Patsy Ory Ory Aye
- Song with chords (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
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