Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
Oh I’ve won the hero’s name with McAlpine and Costain
With Fitzpatrick Murphy, Ash and Wimpy’s gang
I’ve off and on the road on me way to draw the dole
When there’s nothing left to do for Johnny Lang
And I used to think that God made the mixer pick and hod
So that Paddy might know hell above the ground
I’ve had gangers big and tough tell me tear it all old gruff
When you’re building up and tearing England down
In a tunnel under ground a young Limerick man was found
He was built into the New Victoria Line
When the boneless gang and past sticking from the concrete cast
Was face of little Charlie Joe Devine
And the ganger man McGurk said big Paddy hates the work
When the gas main blew and he flew off the ground
Oh they swore he said don’t slack I’ll not be long before I’m back
Keep on building up and tearing England down
I was on the shuddering jam on the day that Jack McCann
Got the better of his stammer in a week
He fell from the shuddering jam when that poor old stuttering man
He was never ever more inclined to speak
And I saw old Balls McCall from a high fly over fall
Into a concrete mixer spinning round
Though it wasn’t his intent he got a fine head of cement
When he was building up and tearing England down
I remember Carrier Jack with his hod upon his back
How he swore one day he’d set the world on fire
But his face they’ve never seen since his shovel it cut clean
Through the middle of the big high tension wires
For no more like Robin Hood will we roam through Crickelwood
Or dance around the pubs in Camden town
Oh but let no man complain sure no Pat can die in vain
When he’s building up and tearing England down
So come all you Navvy’s bold do not think that English gold
Is just waiting to be taken from each sod
For the likes of you and me will never get an OBE
Or a knighthood for good service to the hod
If the concrete master race were to keep you in your place
And a ganger man to kick you to the ground
If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make
When you’re building up and tearing England down