lyrics to the bricklayers lament please send

[The Renaissance Man]

Hey out there I would realy like a copy of the lirics to the bricklayer's
lament, the song about some guy who tries to lower a barrel of bricks from
the 14th floor. If someone could send me this it would make me vaery happy
I know the tune but I never got a good recording of the words and I would
like to sing the song not just whistle it.

thanks to anyone who can help..
Kevin

[Anna Peekstok]

Why Paddy is not at Work Today:

My friends I write this note to you to tell you of me plight
For at present time of writing I am not a pretty sight
Me body is a black and blue, and me face a deathly grey
And I write this note to tell you why Paddy's not at work today.

While I was working on the 14th floor I had some bricks to clear
To throw the bricks from such a height, 'twas not a good idea(r)
Me foreman wasn't so very pleased, he being an awkward sod
He said I'd have to tote them down the ladder in me hod.

Now to carry all the bricks by hand, it seemed so very slow.
So I hoisted up a barrel and secured the rope below
But in my haste to do the job, I was too blind to see
That a barrel filled with building blocks was heavier than me.

So when I untied the rope, the barrel fell like lead.
And clinging tightly to the rope, I started up instead
I shot up like a rocket till in my dismay I found
That halfway up I met the bloody barrel coming down.

The barrel broke me shoulder as toward the ground it sped
And at the top I hit the bloody pulley with me head
I clung on tight though numb with pain from this almighty blow
While the barrel spilled out half the bricks some 14 floors below.

Now when the bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor
I then outweighed the barrel and I started down once more
I clung on tightly to the rope, and sped toward the ground --
And landed on the broken bricks a-lying all around.

I lay there groaning on the ground and thought I'd passed the worst
When the barrel hit the pulley wheel, and then the bottom burst
A shower of bricks came down on me, 'twas then I gave up hope
And lying there upon the ground, I let go the bloody rope.

Well, the barrel then was heavier, and started down once more
And landed right across me as I lay there on the floor
It broke three ribs and my left arm, and I am here to say
That I hope you'll understand why Paddy's not at work today.

(I learned this version from someone who said he had learned it from the
singing of Joe Hickerson.)

--
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Anna Peekstok 685-3999
Rehabilitation Medicine, RJ-30 peek...@u.washington.edu
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

[Matthew Kelley]

In article <1994Jul29.1...@blaze.trentu.ca>

The Renaissance Man, ktor...@TrentU.CA writes:

>Hey out there I would realy like a copy of the lirics to the
bricklayer's
>lament,

The Tullamore Dew have a really nice version of this on one of
their tapes, with an extra verse or two. If you'd like info on ordering
a copy, contact me on email at wmke...@umich.edu

[GalenL]

This song is usually titled "The Sick Note". It's in Rise Up Singing.

(see also, Anna's posting)

Galen

[GalenL]

In article <31j03h$8...@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>, Matthew Kelley
<Kell...@ucen.flint.umich.edu> writes:

:The Tullamore Dew have a really nice version of this on one of

:their tapes, with an extra verse or two.

I've been doing this song for a couple years. I would love to hear these
extra verses. Do you think you could post the lyrics?

Thanks

Galen

[APPALSEED]

Kevin,
Mike Cross has recorded this song on one of his Sugar Hill albums.
Good luck!
JChapman