Bonus Song of the Week!

In 1841, me corduroy breeches I put on
Me corduroy breeches I put on
To work upon the railway, the railway
I am weary of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

In 1842 from Hartlepoole
I moved to Crewe
And I found myself a job to do
Working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

In 1843 I broke me shovel across me knee
And I went to work with the company
On the Leeds and Selvy Railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

In 1844 I landed on the Liverpool shore
Me belly was empty, me hands were raw
With working on the railway, the railway
I am weary of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

In 1845 when Danny O'Connell he was alive
Danny O'Connell he was alive
And working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

In 1846 I changed my trade from carrying bricks
I changed my trade from carrying bricks
To working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

In 1847 poor Paddy was thinking of going to heaven
Poor Paddy was thinking of going to heaven
To work upon the railway, the Milky Way
I'm weary of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches,
Digging ditches, pulling switches, dodging hitches
I was working on the railway

This week’s Bonus Song of the Week is the traditional Irish tune "Poor Paddy (Works on the Railway)," performed in the above video by The Dubliners with Luke Kelly. A live version by Kelly and the Dubliners can be found here. The song has been performed by countless Irish music bands, from The Black Velvet Band to The Pogues.

Post Scriptum: Is it just me, or is Shane McGowan looking a bit like Dennis Leary in that last clip?

Post Post Scriptum: If I wasn’t a Dennis Leary fan already, this would make me a fan. It just might make him my favorite comedian ever.

Robertus' Song of the Week!

I got sunburned waiting for the jets to land
Circus people with hairy little hands
Hit it boys, strike up the Army band
I got sunburned waiting for the jets

How do you feel?
How do you feel?
I can't seem to see through solid marble eyes

Fiery pianos wash up on a foggy coast
Squeaky old organs have given up the ghost
Fire them up and kill the piano birds
There's creaky old organs burning on the coast

How do you feel?
How do you feel?
I can't seem to breath with a rusted metal heart
I can't seem to see through solid marble eyes


This week’s Song of the Week is “Piano Fire” by Sparklehorse, featuring PJ Harvey. I would have liked to post something from PJ Harvey's upcoming album, but the sound quality on the live Youtube clips leaves something to be desired. Like quality. So, until I get a better listen to the new materials, enjoy!

Post Scriptum: Scott writes in to remind me that I didn't do a Song of the Week last week. Look for a BONUS SONG OF THE WEEK tomorrow!