Luke Kelly Poor Paddy On The Railway (early version)

[locodriver107]

after some digging i actually found that this is actually the oldest railway song we have record of anywhere!!!!!!!!! so literally its the worlds first train song, good goin ireland!!!!!!!!!!!

[locodriver107]

this song makes me proud to be a railfan of irish descent!!!!!!!

[bluevalium10]

There will never be another one like Luke that's for sure. What a brilliant bastard.

[Glenn400ad]

simply amazing...

[irishgeal1]

i would turn up in my pajamas if it meant seeing luke.

[toolsoldier]

Luke your voice could pierce the darkest clouds on the darkest days.

[november191968]

I once tried to teach my kids some English through this song.It was the best lesson they ever had they said!

[TheKinggypo]

@november191968 my dad told me his teacher used to let the sing this song in tadcaster in the 70s

[cqbspartan]

this guy is a living legend, he deserves some good old leprechaun gold now doesn't he? just a random thought of mine I guess

[isolde511]

@cqbspartan well not living....but a legned...YESSS the greatest

[kjwannabe]

lol. i dun rilli get it but i guess ids pretty good.

my idiot teacher wants me to listen to this.

[irishmanandproud]

ya mate, i agree the earlier stuff was their best, when ronnie and luke were in their prime there was no stoppin them rip

[youkonbaloobuckweat]

Wonderful job! I love this song!

[BelieveinJudo]

Gods Luke was brilliant, miss hearing people singing his songs to themselves or out in pubs. One of the few things I miss about home.

[kayeethan]

hits u dunnit.

[antfoley1983]

Bloody hell! Amazing!

[Japanologe]

Railroad!

[november191968]

love it

[SirCoughsalot]

Best version, in my opinion.

[xlinetj]

Long live "The Dubliners"

[0801killer]

@xlinetj agree friend.,

[pobg]

fairplay kellyoneill

[praskovia13]

i love Lukes version, and Shanes version, u can't compare them coz they r different ppl, and both bring their own individuality to this

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I got a laugh out of one of my MOW brothers lastnight by singing this song as we worked. Wearing (Now) Carhart britches diggin ditches, throwing switches, dodging hitches, working on the railway.

[cnmfromOz]

I have just listened to the Pogues version as some suggest they are as good as Luke. I know some people really love the Pogues but I haven't seen one song of theirs that you can understand or easily listen to. McGowan is a very good lyricist, apparently, but not perhaps the best singer. Sorry fans, but Luke has fantastic diction and perfect pitch so there really is no comparison.

[kellyoneill]

here here!!!

[EffinSkeletor]

wow, you just don't get it, do you? you can't write off McGowan's singing just because you have no sense of dialect. I really like this version, but McGowan has a ton more of emotion.

This singer emphasizes hid corduroy britches while McGowan's emphasizing the fact that he's sick to his guts of the railway. I wonder which one's the true point of the tune? Vocals are supposed to have more purpose than just giving you a pretty voice to listen to.

[cnmfromOz]

Sorry to offend, I didn't mean to. Shane McGowan is a legend but I have not been exposed to him so don't appreciate what you and so many others see in him and his music. I discovered Luke Kelly by accident and love the type of singer he is, clearly understood and great singing. He was as passionate in his way as McGowan is in his, so lets celebrate two wonderful Irish singers, and fantastic Irish music. Maybe with time and more exposure I'll love McGowan too.

[NicktheIrishman]

It's MACGowan not MCGowan...get it right! Sorry to intrude we MACs get pissed when we get spelled MC! :D:D:D:D

[xredroses4me]

I half love and half hate the Pogues version of this song-- the slow verse part where Shane draws everything out almost gives me chills (especially when, as noted above, he emphasizes how sick to his guts he is of the railway), but I feel a loss of the passion when it gets so overly sped-up during the chorus.

[berryjewell]

Wow, I can understand what you are saying though don't feel the same way. I've nothing but love for the Pogues version but I think you are right that the chorus lacks the passion that Luke delivers. Never struck me til you pointed it out. Funny but this seems to've become a Pogues thread, lol.

[berryjewell]

Oops just listened to again and I don't think is any lack of passion in either version. Spoke to soon. For me, anyway it's just more anger in the passion of the faster chorus. I JUST LOOOOVE THIIS SONG! It's like a life so hopeless (not mine, lol) yet there is anger and a never say die attitude I pick up on. BRILL.

[Ladder209]

@cnmfromOz To each his own, but I think you're missing the appeal of the Pogues. I love both the Dubliners and the Pogues but diction and perfect pitch have nothing to do with why the Pogues are great. A lot of the appreciation of the Pogues comes from the raw energy and enthusiasm in their songs.

There is no way the Pogues can compare to the Dubs, but the opposite is also true...both bands have their strengths. It really depends on which strength you'd prefer.

[TheNarrowbacks]

@cnmfromOz yeah macgowan isn't known for his voice.......he made the music of ireland popular to the masses using punk rock music. Not a great singer but great songwriter. Luke is the greatest balladeer of all time. It's too bad the two never met, would have been something special to hear Kelly singing the likes of Rainy NIght in soho or Fairytale of New York.

[MrBradipo73]

@cnmfromOz you're right, there's no comparison, but fair play to Shane McGowan for contributing to keep the Irish folk tradition alive and kicking.

[kezlynaugh]

watta song n watta singer (go raibh maith agat)

[brannigan46]

A grand old team ..to listen to.

[rakovsky]

Cheers Luke

[berryjewell]

..me belly was empty me hands were raw with working on the railway, I am sick to my guts of the railway, Poor Paddy was working on the railway. Cordurey breches digging ditches pullling stitches dodging pitches, I was working on the railway. I LOVE the rhyming and timing and fierocity of that song. The working man's boredome and drudgery sung w such fire. Weeeeee hoooo. I love it. I also prefer the Pogues version. Thanx for posting this vid!

[jaytodt]

Dodging Pitches??? Dodging Hitches!!!!!!

[berryjewell]

Wow,OK, I just googled it to be sure and it says those lyrics are Pitches in some spots and Hitches in other places, (places being sites). Works for me either way.

[yankeehatinactor]

May God bless Luke Kelly's soul.

[scolariphil]

me gran had this on a LP and it always jogged 'cause of the scrathes. So its lovely to hear it clear. Thanks

[NicktheIrishman]

The early versions are always the best!!!

[nader112389]

the pogues did a good job too.

[SASRed87]

Awesome!

[Heathingoilferrari]

Thank You for this jewel . Top quality

[dogsam2003]

amazing