Building Up and Tearing England Down

Lyrics

[Speech] Who is jumping on the wagons? Who is doing the work in this country? They're all Irishmen every one of them They're Irish contractors and they're Irish labor [Verse 1] I have one hero's name with McAlpine and Costain With Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Ashe and Wimpey's gang I've been often on the road, on my way to draw the dole When there's nothing left to do for Johnny Laing And I used to think that God made the mixer, pick and hod So that Paddy might know hell above the ground I've had gangers big and tough tell me tear it all out rough When you'rе buildin' up and tearin' England down [Verse 2] I remembеr Carrier Jack he wore a hod upon his back And he swore he'd one day set the world on fire His face we've never seen since his shovel it cut clean Through the middle of a big high tension wire And I saw auld Balls McCaul, from the big flyover fall Into a concrete mixer spinning 'round Though it was not his intent, he got a fine head of cement When he was buildin' up and tearin' England down [Verse 3] I was on the hydro dam ah the day that Pat McCann Got the better of his stammer in a week He fell from the shutterin' jam and that poor auld stutterin' man He was never ever more inclined to speak And no more like Robin Hood will he roam through Cricklewood Or dance around the pubs of Camden Town Ah let no man complain, that no navvy dies in vain When he's buildin' up and tearin' England down [Speech] A man stood at the golden gate His face was worn and old He looked towards the man of fate For admission to the fold "What have you done," St. Peter asked "To seek admission here?" "I've dug heavy machines for manies over a year." The golden gate flew open wide when Peter touched the bell "Step in", says he, "And choose your crew You've served your time in Hell." [Verse 4] In a tunnel underground a young Limerick man was found He was built into the new Victoria Line And when the bonus gang had past, sticking through the concrete cast Was the face of little Charlie Joe Devine And the ganger man McGurk said, "Big Paddy 'ate to work." When the gas pipe burst and he flew off the ground Well they swear he said, "Don't slack, I'll not be there until I'm back Keep on buildin' up and tearin' England down." [Verse 5] So come you navvies bold, who do think that English gold Is just waiting to be plucked from every sod Or that the likes of you and me will ever get an OBE Or a knighthood for good service to the hod They've a concrete master race, there to keep you in your place And a ganger man to kick you to the ground If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make When you're buildin' up and tearin' England down [Outro] If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make When you're buildin' up and tearin' England down