Paddy on the Handcar - Brian Rose
In eighteen hundred and fifty-four
Pat set sail from the Irish shore
Said good-bye to his mother dear
And drowned his sorrow in his beer
He left the old world for the men
Joined his brother down in old St.Lou
After twice short weeks in the U.S.A.
Pat was working on the railway
[Chorus]
All hail to the land of progress
And the brave young men who won the west
All hail to the land of liberty
And the railway to own destiny
In eighteen hundred and fifty-five
Pat was working by his brother's side
Through the summer's heat and the winter's cold
The look was hard and took its toll
His brother died on a aour day
The wind was blowing abd the sky was grey
For every mile another grave
And one more life for the railway
[Repeat Chorus]
Was fifteen years since he crossed the sea
When Pat met up with glory
Was a hell bound train that run him down
He saw no lights and he heard no sound
In eighteen hundred and sixty-nine
Fast met west on the railway line
And many a dollar has been made
Off the men who work on the railway
[Repeat Chorus]