In eighteen hundred and forty-one Me corduroy breeches I put on Me corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway
In eighteen hundred and forty-two From Hartlepool I moved to Crewe Found meself a job to do Working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches Digging ditches, pulling stitches, Dancing on the line Still working on the railway
In eighteen hundred and forty-three I broke me shovel across me knee And went to work for the company On the Leeds to Selby railway
In eighteen hundred and forty-four I landed on the Liverpool shore Me belly was empty, me hands were raw With working on the railway, the railway I'm sick to my guts of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway
In eighteen hundred and forty-five When Daniel O'Connell he was alive When Daniel O'Connell he was alive And working on the railway
In eighteen hundred and forty-six I changed me trade to carrying bricks Changed me trade to carrying bricks Still working on the railway
In eighteen hundred and forty-seven Poor Paddy was thinking of going to Heaven The old bugger was thinking of going to Heaven To work upon the railway, the railway I'm sick to my death of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway