McAlpine's Fusiliers
Hardship and Camaraderie: McAlpine's Fusiliers Unveiled
Lyrics
As down the glen came McAlpine's men
McAlpine's men are approaching down the glen.
With their shovels slung behind them
They carry shovels slung behind them.
'Twas in the pub they drank the sub
They drank in the pub, and the payment (sub) for the work was discussed.
And up in the spike you'll find them
They end up in the spike (workhouse or prison).
They sweated blood and they washed down mud
They worked hard (sweated blood) and dealt with difficult conditions.
With pints and quarts of beer
They consumed large quantities of beer.
And now we're on the road again
They are back on the road for more work.
With McAlpine's fusiliers
They are identified as McAlpine's fusiliers.
I stripped to the skin with Darky Finn
The speaker, along with Darky Finn, worked on the Isle of Grain.
Way down upon the Isle of Grain
They worked without clothes (stripped to the skin).
With the Horseface Toole then I knew the rule
The rule was no pay if you stop working, as known by Horseface Toole.
No money if you stop for rain
No payment for work during rain.
McAlpine's God was a well filled hod
McAlpine's God was a hod (bricklayer's tool) filled with mortar.
Your shoulders cut to bits and seared
Work was physically demanding, causing severe shoulder injuries.
And woe to he who to looks for tea
Woe to those who seek tea breaks during work.
With McAlpine's fusiliers
They are McAlpine's fusiliers.
I remember the day that the Bear O'Shea
A recollection of Bear O'Shea falling into concrete stairs.
Fell into a concrete stairs
The Horseface's reaction to O'Shea's death was not a traditional prayer.
What the Horseface said, when he saw him dead
Blank line (transition).
Well, it wasn't what the rich call prayers
Short retort about being a laborer (navvy).
I'm a navvy short was the one retort
Blank line (transition).
That reached unto my ears
Worked until sweating profusely, possibly a gambling reference (bet).
When the going is rough, well you must be tough
Worked with people from various nationalities (Russian, Czech, Pole).
With McAlpine's fusiliers
Worked on challenging projects like hydro dams and tunnels under the Thames.
I've worked 'till the sweat has had me bet
Hard work resulted in earning work credentials (cards).
With Russian, Czech and Pole
Faced physical violence from supervisors (ganger's fist).
On shuddering jams up in the hydro dams
A cautionary statement against joining McAlpine's fusiliers.
Or underneath the Thames in a hole
Blank line (transition).
I grafted 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
A strong advice against joining McAlpine's fusiliers to preserve one's life.
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