Key: C Verse 1: C F G I have won a heroes name with McAlpine and Costain C F G C With Fitzpatrick Murphy Ashe and Wimpey's gang. F G I've been often on the road, on my way to draw the dole C F G C When there's nothing left to do for Johnny Laing. Am F Em I used to think that God made the mixer pick and hod Am G F So that Paddy might know hell above the ground. C F G I've had gangers big and tough tell me tear it all out rough C F G C When you're building up and tearing England down.
Verse 2: C F G I remember Carrier Jack with his hod upon his back C F G C How he swore one day he'd set the world on fire. F G But his face they've never seen since his shovel it cut clean C F G C Through the middle of a big high tension wire. Am F Em I saw auld Balls Mccaul, from the big flyover fall Am G F Into a concrete mixer spinning round C F G Although it was not his intent, he got a fine head of cement C F G C When he was building up and tearing England down. Verse 3: C F G I was on the hydro dam the day that Pat Mccann C F G C Got the better of his stammer in a week. F G He fell from the shuttering jam and that poor auld stuttering man C F G C He was never ever more inclined to speak. Am F Em No more like Robin Hood will he roam through Cricklewood Am G F Or dance around the pubs of Camden Town. C F G But let no man complain, no Paddy dies in vain C F G C When he's building up and tearing England down. Solo: C F G C F G C F G C F G C Verse 4: C F G In a tunnel underground a young Limerick man was found C F G C He was built into the new Victoria Line. F G When the pouring gang had past, sticking through the concrete cast C F G C Was the face of little Charlie Joe Devine. Am F Em And the ganger man McGurk said big Paddy ate the work Am G F When the gas main burst and he flew off the ground C F G Oh they swear he said "Don't slack I'll not be here until I'm back" C F G C Keep on building up and tearing England down. Verse 5: C F G So come all you navvies bold, who think that English gold C F G C Is just waiting to be taken from each sod. F G Or that the likes of you and me could ever get an OBE C F G C Or a knighthood for good service to the hod. Am F Em They've the concrete master race, to keep you in your place Am G F and a ganger man to kick you to the ground. C F G If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make C F G C When they're building up and tearing England down. C F G If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make C F G C When they're building up and tearing England down.
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