The Dubliners - Building up and tearing england down

Sung by Ronnie Drew. Written by Dominic Behan.
Lyrics:
I've won a hero's name with McAlpine and Costain
With Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Ashe and the Wimpey's gang
I've been often on the road on me way to draw the dole
When there's nothing left to do for Johnny Laing
And I used to think that God made the mixer, pick and hod
So that Paddy might know hell above the ground
I've had gangers big and tough tell me tear it all out rough
When you're building up and tearing England down
In a tunnel underground a young Limerick man was found
He was built into the New Victoria Line
When the bonus gang had past, sticking through the concrete cast
Was the face of little Charlie Joe Devine
And the ganger man McGurk said big Paddy hates to work
When the gas main blew and he flew off the ground
Oh, they swore he said don't slack, I'll not be there until I'm back
Keep on building up and tearing England down
I was on the hydro dam on the day that Jack McCann
Got the better of his stammer in a week
He fell from the shuttering jamb and the poor auld stuttering man
He was never ever more inclined to speak
And I saw auld Bald McCall from the big flyover fall
Into a concrete mixer spinning round
Though it wasn't his intent, he got a fine head of cement
When he was building up and tearing England down
I remember Carrier Jack with his hod upon his back
How he swore one day he'd set the world on fire
But his face they've never seen since his shovel it cut clean
Through the middle of the big high tension wires
No more like Robin Hood will he roam through Cricklewood
Or dance around the pubs in Camden Town
Oh, but let no man complain, sure no Pat can die in vain
When he's building up and tearing England down
So come all you navvies bold, do not think that English gold
Is just waiting to be taken from each sod
Or the likes of you and me will ever get an OBE
Or a knighthood for good service to the hod
They've the concrete master race for to keep you in your place
And a ganger man to kick you to the ground
If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make
When you're building up and tearing England down

[@missbritt288]

Irish music is some of the most emotional and beautiful im not anywhere near Irish .. Im African American... but this music just touches something inside you - The feeling of humanity and common people

[@colinosullivan3328]

Sir ravix of fourhorn on Von Ono n o. O o n on o bono no boo bonobo o no no n. N. N n n o o bbbonobonp no on CNN o. No no. P c no on l l onon pn night b the b no. N no n b bn n n bc

[@colinosullivan3328]

Bb. B b b bthe no hobo cop. No b. B

[@colinosullivan3328]

N n o on no bway b b

[@GerryBolger]

@@killuminatoV01 I'm Irish and although I'm somewhat of an expert in traditional Irish music, I absolutely adore the blues. Particularly delta blues. The blacks and the paddies have had tough times. They're not comparable, slavery in America is far worse than what we got. We just had to deal with our dear neighbours for much longer. Again, they're not comparable. It's not a competition of misery. But it's definitely given both of our people a unique perspective on life. There's a toughness in Black people and Irish people that isn't always very obvious but we come from a line of survivors, that will stand to us in future...

[@missbritt288]

@@GerryBolger Amen to that brother ! ;)

[@Marc443]

This version is brilliant. Ronnie in his voice-prime!

[@shaynewheeler9249]

😢😢😢😢😢

[@jamesp3739]

The Dubliner are a musical history book.

Spot on James!

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

Well said you, you got that completely correct

[@nbenefiel]

I lived in Dublin for most of the 70’s. The music was incredible.

[@rayfarrell8618]

There's more than a little truth in this song

[@feow33]

sadly very true....and now it's the poor buggers building the world cup stadia for Quatar world cup.

[@bartouille]

feow33 Sadly true too ! Panen and Circenses fondly remain the same :/

[@roystonrooney6709]

Irish soul music 🇮🇪💪

[@jackcallan106]

RIP RONNIE DREW WE WILL ALWAYS MISS YOU

[@tompearce6312]

My Dad (English) lost his job in advertising in London in the 1980s, because he was drinking too much, but was able to get work through an Irish friend on a building site. He used to have so many funny stories about working with young Irish lads and the crazy stuff that would happen. One time these guys tried to take a Portacabin apart starting at the walls, without taking the roof off first, so the whole roof came crashing down and almost flattened them all. This song and McAlpine's Fusiliers make me think of him in that time.

[@Sheepz0r]

When I was 8 (I'm nearly 19 now) my dad let us listen to this. And now nearly 11 years later it's still good fun to listen to them!

[@lisawhite6341]

Sheepz0r same here we were only young, we knew all the words. Whenever we were in the van with him he’d throw on the CD and we would be raving 😂😂 it’s been years now and I can’t remember any of the words. The good old days.....

[@kev8nmulligan805]

The concrete master race . Brilliant

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

@missbritt288 3 years ago It is completely true that Irish music has always got a story to tell based of true happenings, there is emotion and beauty in the words, the singing voice and the instruments played. e

[@tonycarton8054]

i left Ireland in the, mid 1970s spent much time in Biddy Mulligans in Kilburn ,then i emigrated to NZ ,Father Teds in Wellesley St ,Auckland .Back now home in Belfast ,love it

[@colinlowe8106]

there's quality tenor banjo work going on here..

[@davesiler4064]

There;s never been finer music, nor folks for that matter! Erin go bragh!

[@MalhamScousers]

boss this Ronnie and Luke Kelly are up there with the Beatles, Van Morrison and DYlan IMO

[@johnkavanagh6773]

Oh, Ronnie we so miss you..........

[@michaeldineen8324]

This is a great song. There aren't many versions of it. Ronnie Drew, certainly had an original voice. I'm amazed, how fast Barney Mc'Kenna played the hornpipe in the middle of the song. It fits in well.

[@ynotno7]

Yes, 'Off to California' at 100mph! Fantastic.

[@sarahlilliancullen]

The Mary wallopers did a good version recently

[@AlexanderSzanto-lm6fo]

Es ist john!

[@gerrymcg82]

Another great song written by Dominic Behan. Thanks for posting it.

[@alanwhite461]

A tribute to the Irish laying hot asphalt.

[@MrAwsomeshot]

concrete

[@blahblahblahblah2837]

Yeah, you're looking for 'Hot Asphalt'

[@frankabagnale6436]

Don’t matter. Sure we’ve put it all down. Concrete or tarmac. Don’t matter

[@sicks6six]

hard graft breeds humour, mix it with music and you got the Dubliners,

[@jamesp7536]

Carrier jack with his hod upon his back! Haha great love seeing the odd old hand on site carrying the hods, sites have changed so much nowadays though, not like when me old grandfatha was on them! H&S taken over

[@johndonovan2598]

This is pure genius. Brilliant stuff.

[@patomalley55]

"I won a heroes name with McAlpine and Costain. With Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Ash and Wimpys Gang. Ive been off and on the road, on me way to draw the dole, when theres nothing left to do for Johnny Lang. I used to think that God made the mixer, pick and Hod, so that Paddy might know hell above the ground" Another great parody song perfectly suited to the original Dubliners with Ronnie Drews unique vocals. Great song Lads,

[@malachy1847]

"An English boss is a bastard, but an Irish boss is worse..."

[@cyrilusly]

Looking for this song for ages.. my uncle used to sing it when I was small..never knew name. Thanks for the upload 👍

[@kevinlynch9438]

First I've heard this!!!! Class.. Martin McGuinness RIP

[@bigirishrob]

When I am at work on a Sunday I sing this song in my head. Without the paddys th Brits would have no roads,railways,hospitals or offices. And it goes on today you wont find a building site without a Irish builder or a Hospital without an Irish nurse in England...

Keepin your oul enemy just about tickin over! It's only the likes of us the craftiest of Gaels who'd get away with such an otherworldly and outrageous strategy! What would they have done to the world without us there keepin an oul eye on them and winding them unwittingly in a bit a bit every few years! Sweet sufferin jaysis, they'd be even worse than they are now without us, they owe us for this bigtime but we'll gladly call it quits in honour of keepin it all goin a while longer anyway. Mind who ya hire when renovating No. 10 Mr. Boris!!! I recommend O'Reilly for your painting/decorating needs and Brendan O'Shaughnessy is your man for any heavy duty jobs, both are highly respected and BBC approved already unlike your good self there Mr. P.M . sir!

[@frankabagnale6436]

@ Sure all the diggers and machinery you see along the motorway roadworks are all Irish names. Funny that isn’t it

[@MrJackjensen]

Sad story from Ireland :-(

[@daisypeters3216]

Strong voice and music.

[@WillesdenHerald]

I think it's by Dominic Behan, this one. It's a bit like his other one McAlpine's Fusiliers. This one is even better I think. Superb writing - and hilarious. And oddly, it also brings a tear to the eye, especially if you're ex-pat London Irish.

[@dadsaloser]

A wonderful song sung by the master himself, thankyou dubliner85 for sharing this now rare to be heard song.... fantastic.

[@irishblue1878]

Couldn't agree more its the first time I've heard this song and your right it is BOSS!

[@rorybone100]

The likes of you and me will never get an OBE...

[@balfnet]

A superb version.

[@mikebaker8499]

Wow, such a haunting recording the echo is an amazing touch to this piece.

[@paulobagoduva]

All is truth!...

[@Catch22Channel]

thanks for putting this up, a great song.

[@irishelk3]

Ah poor auld Johnny Lang.

[@svenhasselfrisian9274]

Johnny Lang was one of the employers.

[@sentimentaloldme]

The words are great...best enjoyed after a few pints of Guinness and a pretty girl on your knee...Written by Dominic Behan (brother of Brendan) and who also wrote many other songs including "Liverpool Lou"...Talented lads..even though they were a bit fond of the "craythur"...

[@zeroireland]

Calm down there, Michael Flatley.

[@sentimentaloldme]

Not in Ireland ...you have to be fond of both...and you have to have at least 12 pints of Guinness before you attempt to sing this ballad..☺

[@willinglis3302]

Thank you very much for the upload. I do truly appreciate it

[@zeroireland]

Alan?

[@johnhennigan3062]

Top tune! Keep digging Paddy 👍

[@edconnolly5123]

happy days on the sites of london nellies willesden the spotted dog the mean fidler

[@patrickbrowne3947]

Fecking wonderful 👏👏🍀

[@DartzIRL]

Nasty way to go, the musical version.

[@johnkavanagh6773]

Remember that was our Irish forefathers when the notices: "No blacks, No Iris, no dogs" was the norm. Say hello and smile to a |Pole or Romanian. .......

[@padraigcronin1172]

What did they have against Iris?

[@PMMagro]

She drinks the English under the table I've heard!

[@colmmacqueen14]

ignoring identities doesn't stop people being discriminated against because of them'. Saying 'stop seeing race and itll go away' only works if you're talking to the oppressors

[@colmmacqueen14]

referring to race =/= being racist. it speaks volumes that we can't conceive of a world where race exists and we're not racist. Gender can exist without sexism, disability can exist without us being ableist, homosexuality can exist without homophobia, why is race different?

[@kinggang2221]

our forefathers fought for freedom and self-determination so they wouldn't have to deal with discrimination abroad how does giving what they fought for away make any sense? discrimination is a reality and always will be, your utopian vision will never exist best you can hope for is a government that puts its people first ours doesn't, it puts international interest above us. that's what you should be fighting against not pushing for our replacement

[@walrusassociation9317]

Just noticed that the banjo solo in the middle is a fiddle tune called 'Off to California'.

[@Domitianvs]

I've only heard this by Christy Moore before, and then under the name of "Paddy on the Road". Nice to see a Ronnie-version of it as well!

[@patrickbracken3363]

The Mary Wallopers do a fantastic version!

[@hankworden3850]

DUBS!

[@mohigney1]

POOR PADDY LOVE IT XX

[@heikoh.5116]

Eira, maybe united one day, Germany is with you

[@smittywerbenjaegermanjense7376]

Yes, exactly.

[@shaney91]

Playing this loud in a 1930s built theatre in the west end. Hope the lads can hear it

[@tomasberggren]

amazing man

[@markpayling2905]

It’s great to hear this song again and to be reminded of those big construction names from my Sixties youth. Where are John Laing and McAlpine now? Great days and better times.

[@EamonnG76]

Can't imagine many of the men swinging picks or carrying hods would agree with the great times sentiment

[@kiermack1378]

brilliant song. rather have a fine head ov cement than dirty a shoval for morrison Utility

[@paddy54321]

i like this! tis kinda like me and my friend. im from limerick hes from mayo. were both 19 and we are working in islington... now with the state of the economy at home we won't be heading back for a while. we both have degrees aswell ha ha but sure we were raised on farms so we are better off labouring then sitting in a big office! londons a fine spot! fierce big tho and jesus christ a load of non english but sure we can't complain we aren't english either!

[@frankabagnale6436]

You crack me up mate. Good luck to who eber you are, Pat. Hopefully you’re doing well.

[@herzogsbuick]

this rocks

[@1timhammer]

old school

[@snapchat8161]

The instruments was impressive aswell

[@BigRedNev]

Christy Moore version also great. Written by Dominic Behen

[@robertflint2549]

More infamy foisted upon da brave boys from dee Holy Ground...

[@smittywerbenjaegermanjense7376]

Sounds like Off to California.

[@manbearpig340]

Balls McCall

[@vandaylen]

lol i heard 'bald', but if i ever find myself singing this tune, balls it'll be

[@TheScribeofLight]

Just listen to the lyrics. This is actually a profoundly socialist song. People know 'Macalpine's Fusliers', but this is the song that actually tells it like it was.

[@joewall1913]

lmaso fact..

[@damienholden2132]

Wat u kno

[@bigirishrob]

WIMPEY. We Import More Paddies Every Year.....

[@raleighburner1589]

Maybe one time but not hopefully any more

[@raleighburner1589]

You will miss paddy when he's gone and he will be in 15 year's then you will build up Islamic England And tear it down

[@raleighburner1589]

I have son's and they will never go to England i mean that Arab countries will give you your blood paddy Is no more that's a fact

[@mregecambrin]

Is there anyone who knows the name of the short polka in the middle of the song?

[@teddy42424]

hang o you got the dole /

[@shilo39]

Thanks Dubliner85,where did you get these Songs from. Are they still available

[@ianlever9825]

IN ALL GOOD RECORD SHOPS IN IRELAND OR AMAZON

[@middi6]

yes but as a st Patrick is national saint of Ireland the Irish are often called paddys it was started as a racial slur but the Irish adopted it as a nickname fore themselves ore that's what all my Irish family say and that's like 90 percent of my family

[@raleighburner1589]

Paddington is where a lot of Irish settled hence

[@bingbong2205]

im a navvy now lol

[@cfcolly]

Whats the tune they play?

[@williamdickie3309]

Paddy was told London’s streets are paved with gold ,when he got off the train at Waterloo Sunday morn there was a fiver lying on the ground,he said ah fu@#k it I’ll start work Monday!

[@raleighburner1589]

The movement of people between Ireland and England started 800 year's ago but when the English started railways some English went to Ireland and when the Irish went to England it was too Paddington hence the name paddy

[@freebornjohn6876]

@@raleighburner1589 : Surely the name "Paddy" is short for the very common Irish name Padraig?

[@stratphil]

Whats the instrumental break.... is it a fiddle tune????

[@teddy42424]

u came here did the work no one would ..do

[@bugsbunny1973]

Like a nickname for Patrick?

[@V8trickshot]

Hahah not quite my friend

[@kev8nmulligan805]

Terrible attempt at putting lyrics in. Guess all you guys aint irish or a navy.cause the lyrics typed are wrong and i dont see anyone mention that. Mixer picking hard is not what hes saying. Its mixer, pick and hod A pick being a manual rock breaker with a wooden shaft sat in every road workers van and a hod/ hog is the flat plate on a pole used to carry bricks. And its also the shuttering juam not shuttling jam. The shuttering jam is the gap made by "shuttering" ie framing to pour cement mix into

[@phreakadelik21]

What’s the name of the reel about 3 quarters through?

[@ailisbergin7588]

off to california, it’s a hornpipe and they don’t play it in the original g major key

[@phreakadelik21]

@@ailisbergin7588 thanks :)

[@louismackenzie1483]

Can someone tell me the name on the reel that barney plays just heard it on a couple of other songs?

[@frankkelch4553]

+Louis Mackenzie Someone else said it was "Off to California".

[@sentimentaloldme]

Correct my friend...mostly played as a hornpipe...I think Barney had a few pints that night and sped it up..☺

[@jaakkooksa5374]

The lyrics are hard to understand at times.

[@mohigney1]

NO PAT SHOULD DIE IN VAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paddy54321]

@gingermartind64 ya you eejit, skip ty and young anyway, 16, couldnt go out till 2nd year, you didnt believe me. eejit

[@bugsbunny1973]

I hope you forgive me...! What is PADDIES?

[@jamesfeery2453]

we wear often referred to as Paddys because pat or should I say Patrick is a very popular Irish name ...the Irish seen the funny side of it .so it evolved into a bit of craic . l hope that explainens every thing.

[@niallyshere]

I hope you forgive me too but what's craic?

[@raleighburner1589]

Come now bugs don't play the innocent

[@V8trickshot]

JayDon Saoirse na hÉireann thundering-jazus

[@balfnet]

email me.I'll send them. ;0)

[@bellybroom]

irish

[@zwerverbeer]

@correl84 people gotta work, no ?

[@ainefaughnan7479]

Tom jones

[@gingermartind64]

degree @ 19?? Start uni at 16 did we? Better stick to the manual work.

[@Sarahmurray514]

This is the only way this should be song❤