In 1841
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 1842
From Hartlepool I moved to Crewe
Found myself a job to do
A-working on the railway

I was wearing corduroy breeches
Digging ditches, pulling switches
Dodging pitches
I was working on the railway

In 1843
I broke me shovel across me knee
I 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

In 1844
I landed on the Liverpool shore
Me belly was empty, me hands were raw
From working on the railway, the railway
I'm sick of my guts of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

In 1845
When Daniel O'Connell, he was alive
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 1846
I changed me trade to carrying bricks
I changed me trade to carrying bricks
To working on the railway

I was wearing corduroy breeches
Digging ditches, pulling switches
Dodging pitches
I was working on the railway

In 1847
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 of my death of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

I was wearing corduroy breeches
Digging ditches, pulling switches
Dodging pitches
I was working on the railway