[Verse 1]
In 1800 and 41, 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

[Chorus 1]
In 1800 and 42, from Hartlepool I moved to Crewe
Found myself a job to do, working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches, I was working on the railway
In 1800 and 43, I broke the shovel across me knee
Went to work for the company on the Leeds to Selby railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches, I was working on the Railway

[Verse 2]
In 1800 and 44, I landed on the Liverpool shore
My 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

[Chorus 2]
In 1800 and 45, when Daniel O'Connell, he was alive
When Daniel O'Connell, he was alive and working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches, I was working on the railway
In 1800 and 46, I changed my trade to carrying bricks
I changed my trade to carrying bricks to work upon the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches, I was working on the railway
[Verse 3]
In 1800 and 47, 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

[Outro]
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches
I was working on the railway