In eighteen hundred and forty one
they put me corduroy britches on
they put me corduroy britches on
to work upon the railway.
chorus:
filli-me-oo-ree-aye-ree-ay
filli-me-oo-ree-aye-ree-ay
filli-me-oo-ree-aye-ree-ay
to work upon the railway.
Now in eighteen hundred and forty-two
i left the old world for the new
bad cess to the luck that brought me through
to work upon the railway.
chorus:
Well, it's pat do this and pat do that,
without a stocking or cravat
and nothing for an old straw hat
while working on the railway.
chorus:
Now in eighteen hundred and forty-three,
twas then i met sweet biddy mcgee.
ah, an elegant wife she's been to me,
while working on the railway.
chorus:
Now in eighteen hundred and forty-seven
sweet biddie mcgee she went to heaven
if she left one child she left eleven
to work upon the railway.
chorus:
Now in eighteen hundred and forty-eight
i learned to drink me whiskey straight
it's an elegant drink that can't be beat
for working on the railway.
chorus (twice)