McAlpines Fusiliers

As down the glen came McAlpines men

with their shovels slung behind them

‘Twas in the pub that they drank the sub

and up in the spike you’ll find them

They sweated blood and they washed down mud

with pints and quarts of beer

And now we’re on the road again with McAlpine’s Fusiliers

I stripped to the skin with Darkie Flynn way down upon the Isle of Grain

Wi’ that horsed Face O’Toole, sure we knew the rule,

no money if you stopped for rain.

McAlpine’s God was a well filled hod,

your shoulders cut to bits and seared,

And woe to he who looked for tea with McAlpine’s Fusiliers

I remember the day that Bear O’Shea

fell into a concrete stairs.

What Horse Face said when he saw him dead

it wasn’t what the rich called prayers.

“I’m a navvy short” was the one retort

that reached unto my ears,

When the going’s rough, sure you must be tough with McAlpine’s Fusiliers

I’ve worked ’til the sweat nearly had me bet,

with Russian, Czech and Pole.

On shuddering jams up the hydro dams

or underneath the Thames in a hole.

I’ve grabbed it 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