P / Q
PADDY LAY BACK
‘Twas a cold and dreary morning in December
All of me money it was spent
Where it went to lord I can’t remember
So down to the shipping office I went
​
CHORUS:
Paddy lay Back (Paddy Lay Back)
Take up the slack (Take Up the Slack)
Take a turn around the capstan heave a pawl
(Heave A Pawl)
About ships station boys be handy
(Be Handy)
We’re bound for Valipariso ‘round the horn.
That day there was a great demand for sailors
For colonies, for Frisco and for France
So I shipped aboard
that Limey barque the Hotspur
And got paralytic drunk on my advance
CHORUS:
Now I joined her on a cold December morning
A-frappin o’ me flippers to keep me warm
(warm, warm)
With the South cone a-hoisted as a warnin’
To stand by the comin of a storm
CHORUS:
Now some of our fellers had been drinkin’
And I me-self was heave on the booze
An’ I was on my old sea chest a’ thinkin’
I’d turn into me bunk and have a snooze
CHORUS:
Twas on the quarter deck that I first saw ‘em
Such an ugly bunch I never seen before
For there was a bum and stiff from every quarter
An’ it made me poor old heart feel sick and sore
CHORUS:
There was Spaniards’ Dutchmen and Rooshians
An’ Johnny Crapoos just across from France
And most of them could speak no word of English
But answered to the name of month’s advance.
CHORUS:
***
The PARTING GLASS
Of a' the money that e'er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And a' the harm I've ever done,
alas it was to none but me.
And a' I've done for want of wit,
to mem'ry now I can't recall;
So fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all
CHORUS:
[So] Fill to me the parting glass,
And drink a health whate’er befalls
And gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town
That sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thralled
So fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be to you all
(CHORUS)
Of all the comrades that e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away.
And all my sweethearts that e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay.
But since it fell unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all
(CHORUS)
Good night and joy be with you all.
***
PADDY WORKS ON THE RAILWAY
1850's / Roud 208
In eighteen hundred and forty-one,
My corduroy britches I put on,
My corduroy britches 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
And found m’self a job to do
Working on the railway
CHORUS:
I was wearing corduroy britches,
digging ditches.
Pulling switches, dodging hitches,
I was working on the railway.
​​
In eighteen hundred and forty-three
I broke my shovel across my knee
And went to work for the company
Of the Leeds and Selby Railway.
​
In eighteen hundred and forty-four
I landed on the Liverpool shore;
My belly was empty, my hands were sore
From working on the railway, the railway,
I’m weary of the railway—
poor Paddy works on the railway.
Chorus:
​​
In eighteen hundred and forty-five
When Dan O’Connell, he was alive;
Dan O’Connell he was alive
And working on the railway.
​
In eighteen hundred and forty-six
I changed my trade from carrying bricks,
I changed my trade from carrying bricks
To working on the railway.
Chorus:​
When I left Ireland to come here
To spend my latter days in cheer
The bosses they all drank strong beer
While Paddy worked on the Railway
​
In eighteen hundred and forty-seven
Poor Paddy was thinking of going to heaven.
Poor Paddy was thinking of going to heaven
To work upon the railway, the railway,
I’m weary of the railway—
poor Paddy works on the railway.
Chorus:​
​***
PORTLAND TOWN
aka: Tampa Town (Packet Rats version)
I see the light across the bay,
I see the light not far away;
And I hear the music all around,
I'm gettin' closer to Tampa town.
So, Mother, won't you make my bed,
I see Egmont's light ahead;
I see the light, I'm comin' 'round,
I'm comin' home to Tampa town.
Some years ago, out on my own,
I set a course for parts unknown;
Leaving behind both friend and foe,
Needing to find what I've come to know.
I watched the islands fade away,
And bid farewell to Tampa Bay;
Oh, it's been years and years since then,
My heart has brought me home again.
Chorus
Of all the places I did go,
She's still the fairest port I know;
She works the sea and tills the farms,
And holds her children in her arms.
---
No place could know a prouder past,
Here comes that future full at last;
Here comes that beacon across the sky,
And when I hold my head up high....
Chorus
​
No place to go without her past,
Here comes that future full at last;
Here comes that beacon across the sky,
And when I hold my head up high....
Chorus
fin. I see the light, I'm comin' 'round,
I'm coming home to Tampa town!
***