Written by Traditional
#1: A D A E A All down the glen came McAlpines men with their shovels slung behind them A D 'Twas in the pub that they drank their sup and up in the spike you'll find them A D They sweated blood and they washed down mud with pints and quarts of beer A D A E A And now we're on the road again with McAlpine's Fusiliers #2: A D A E A I stripped to the skin with Darkie Flynn way down upon the Isle of Grain D With the horsefaced Toole, 'cos I knew the rule, no money if you stopped for rain. A D McAlpine's God was a well filled hod, your shoulders cut to bits and seared, A D A E A And woe to he who went to look for tea with McAlpine's Fusiliers #3: A D A E A I remember the day that Bear O'Shea fell into a concrete stairs. A D What Horseface said when he saw him dead well it wasn't what the rich called prayers. A D I'm a navvy short was the one retort that reached unto my ears A D A E A When the going is rough well you must be tough with McAlpine's Fusiliers Instrumental Break: A D A E A A D A D A D A E A #4: A D A E A I've worked 'til the sweat has had'n me bet, with Russian, Czech and Pole. A D On shuddering jams up at the hydro dams or underneath the Thames in a hole. A D I've grabbed it hard and I've got me cards and many a ganger's fist across me ears. A D A E A If you pride your life don't join by Christ, with McAlpine's Fusiliers