Paddy Works On The Railway

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Played by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia ("Bob and Jerry") at Brigid Meier's Sixteenth Birthday Party, Menlo Park, CA, May 26 1961. No recording circulates - this is the version Pete Seeger sang:

In eighteen hundred and forty one, I put my corduroy breeches on
I put my corduroy breeches on, to work upon the railway

Chorus
Fil-a-mee-o-ry, ory, ay
Fil-a-mee-o-ry, ory, ay
Fil-a-mee-o-ry, ory, ay
To work upon the railway

In eighteen hundred and forty two, I left the old world for the new
Bad cess to the luck that brought me through, to work upon the railway
[chorus]

In eighteen hundred and forty three, 'twas then I met sweet Biddy McGee
An elegant wife she's been to me, while workin on the railway
[chorus]

In eighteen hundred and forty four, me back was gettin' mighty sore
Me back was gettin' might sore while workin' on the railway
[chorus]

In eighteen hundred forty five, I found myself more dead than alive
I found myself more dead than alive, while workin' on the railway
[chorus]

It's "Pat do this!" and "Pat do that!", without a stocking or cravat
Nothing but an old straw hat while Pat worked on the railway
[chorus]

In eighteen hundred and forty seven, sweet Biddy McGee she went to heaven
She left one child, she left eleven to work upon the railway
[chorus]

In eighteen hundred and forty eight I learned to drink my whiskey straight
It's an elegant drink that can't be beat for workin' on the railway
[chorus]