Poor Paddy Works on the Railway [337-338] (252-253)

This is the sailor version (for capstan or pumps) of the well-known Irish-American song, said to have begun as a popular music hall song, but popular in the oral tradition among railroad workers and sailors alike. This is one of those little rewarding gems in Hugill's text, in that it gives us an idea of what an older version of a song may have been like --not necessarily the "original" and surely not more "correct" than other versions, yet there is something more realistic to it, I think.

There are two common versions of the song that I am familiar with. One, perhaps learned by many from Pete Seeger, is in a minor key and has the vocable chorus of "fil-i-me-oo-ree-oo-ri-ay." This chorus would work nicely in a chantey, but it is not part of Hugill's version. Stuart Frank, renowed scholar of sea music, recorded a version of "Paddy Works..." aboard ship at Mystic Seaport, and it is this minor key melody with vocable chorus, only with more sailor-like lyrics than the usual folkie version. It is very effective.
[Here's an example of that variety:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LqDTulp2HY ]
The second version that goes around is after the Clancy Brothers, the Dubliners, etc. It is in a major key. What is odd about this is the shiftes between different tempos for different verses, and lots of rubato and pauses. In my opinion, while nice, it is a bit jazzed up--a side poduct of making staged entertainment presentation of an "Irish music band." In any case, not likely for a functional chantey.

The present chantey has a major key melody, quite similar (though with a few differences) to the latter version. Of course, the tempo stays steady, though there are pauses marked in some key places. This was the first I'd seen of this version. However after recording it I've discovered that the group called "Gallant Sons of Erin" (from Connecticut area, no less) recorded it in a very "pure" version, seeming to have used Hugill as their source from the sound of it. (It's very good, BTW, and available for purchase at several sites on-line.)

Also found in:
LA Smith 1888, SHarp 1914

See the whole "Shanties from the Seven Seas" project, here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=58B55DD66F22060C

Category:

Music

Tags:

• irish
• american
• railroad
• railway
• sea
• chantey
• shanty
• song
• dubliners
• clancy
• stan
• hugill
• capstan
• immigration

[wishmaster200]

STOP POSTING THESE VIDEOS U ARE WRECKING THEM U STUPID YANK

[hultonclint]

@wishmaster200 Yeah, the singing performance here is not great (read my notes, it's not expected to be). But if you've some other source for the proper versions as documented by Stan Hugill, let me know. Most other versions are just copies of what revival bands sang when they "wrecked" the historical forms. I am demonstrating how the HISTORICAL versions actually went. If a better singer can come along and do that, then I will be happy. Until then, mine serves as an example of how the song goes.

[Toontown348]

Um Yea? Um? Where's the music? Um Um um um...IDK what to say now...........Who sang this?

[hultonclint]

@Toontown348 What music? You can't play instruments when your hand is on a capstan bar, nor can you croon into the wind.

[wildguy108]

dude you broke my windows with this music

[jpolacchi]

I think you need to drink a few Guinesses before sing'in this song.I know I couldn't sing it without a couple of pints.

[tipp1959]

INTERESTING COLLECTION OF PICS.

[malad1]

Actually a brilliant version from old ol ireland here.

[seafortha]

haha no really pal, you're not that good!!