McAlpines Fusiliers

(album: Gangs Of New Holland - 2010)

As down the glen came McAlpines men with their shovels slung behind them
'Twas in the pub that they drank the sub and up in the spike you'll find them
They sweated blood and they washed down mud with pints and quarts of beer
And now we're on the road again with McAlpine's Fusiliers

I stripped to the skin with Darkie Flynn way down upon the Isle of Grain
Wi' that horsed Face O'Toole, sure we knew the rule, no money if you stopped for rain
McAlpine's God was a well filled hod, your shoulders cut to bits and seared
And woe to he who looked for tea with McAlpine's Fusiliers

I remember the day that Bear O'Shea fell into a concrete stairs
What Horse Face said when he saw him dead it wasn't what the rich called prayers
"I'm a navvy short" was the one retort that reached unto my ears
When the going's rough, sure you must be tough with McAlpine's Fusiliers

I've worked 'til the sweat nearly had me bet, with Russian, Czech and Pole
On shuddering jams up the hydro dams or underneath the Thames in a hole
I've grabbed it hard and I've got me cards and many a ganger's fist across me ears
If you pride your life don't join by Christ, with McAlpine's Fusiliers
If you pride your life don't join by Christ, with McAlpine's Fusiliers