The Dubliners - The Sick Note

[@colin8431]

This song is so well told, you can actually se it happening before your eyes.

[@stevenbray9056]

Exactly

[@jlessien3826]

That poor lass being in shambles.

[@harrywaite1]

One of the funniest comedy songs ever, and performed by one of the best folk groups that could give it the justice it deserves!

[@asbpab1966]

There is a verse missing "I clung on tightly to the rope, me body racked with pain, and halfway down I met the bloody barrel once again. The force of this collision halfway down the office block Caused multiple contusions and a nasty state of shock."

[@Pogohg]

It is in the song. Just rephrased or rewritten.

[@ishouldgetacoolname]

+Pogohg In this version they've merget two verses, taking about two lines from each.

[@OmegaMaxter]

If this doesnt make you smile, i don't know what will

[@eeple200]

Just to clear up any confusion, the 4th line should be, "He being an awkward...sod" (a derogatory British slang term) The 5th line, "the ladders in me hod" ...a hod is a container on a pole that is specifically for carrying a large quantity of bricks resting over the shoulder so ladders can be climbed easier.

[@Cracklemere]

Bricklayers lament by Gerard Hoffnung. This is exactly that monologue put in to music form. I love it.

[@CaptainLumpyDog]

Sends me into laughing fits every time I hear it. And I just listened to it twice in the span of five minutes!

[@fakeaccount9952]

you fit 6 minutes of song into 5 minutes!? Magic

[@mercycollege123]

great song, heard it sung by an irishman at an australian pub last week with a few more expletives used haha

[@Ruthybobz19]

Oh god i feel the pain hes going through from the way he sings it. I'm from Ireland and i sing the song identical to him cos i love the way he sings it.. I have it down to a t!!

[@SkinnedLynryd]

This was in Infinite Jest... I laughed when I realized that it was this song. Had to come give it a listen. Love it

[@cosmichasm]

It's a crying shame that this doesn't have more views

[@mikepatterson5029]

Actually given by Gerard Hoffnung to the Oxford Union in 1956, I heard it a couple of years later. Brilliant

[@AuntieWelly]

That's where I know it from too. And his letters from Tyrolean landlords!!

[@NallDave]

and set to the tune of 'meet me in the garden wherer the praties grow.

[@chewie211171]

absolutely brillient!! Only the Irish could come up with something this good!!!!!!!!!

[@7szczvr7]

First time I've heard this masterpiece on a trip to Cliffs of Moher, sung by the dr(o)iver ;-) That would be the first time I had a conscious experience of the Dubliners. I knew the story before from a Polish comedian Andrzej Poniedzielski, who made it into a sketch (/watch?v=Y5-EdxdLZ3c), but now I am so much happier to know the origin.

[@krisfirth]

Well done it's the first time I have heard this track simple but marvelous

[@dorothybarlow3824]

First time of have hearing this song hahaha brilliant ,,As usual .

[@clarsairdeteine]

I heard this song today for the very first time and I had to stop what I was doing to listen the words... and haven't been able to restart before laughing off my pants! Funny song, indeed.

[@tobiasoellers146]

Pat Cooksey wrote this. I‘ve sung with him One Night in Germany. Never saw anyone That indulged Whiskey like him. Now I know how the Song came around 🤣

[@johnmcclintock442]

Outstanding

[@revveduprockabilly]

@pheonix1355 actually the loacation of the guinness brewery is st. james gate dublin ireland and it has been since 1759 when arthur guinnes signed a 9000 year lease on the property. its been there for over 250 years and takes up a decent sized plot of the city of dublin. its is one of the most well known irish exports.

[@carmelduggan6547]

I thing this is one of the funniest songs - thank you so much for sharing

[@Khellendros_]

This song takes the basic idea from an urban myth (the barrel full of bricks and the workman). You'll probabily find in the related videos also the Mythbusters episode regarding this particular myth:) I find anyway this song very very entertaining :)

[@slave2nun]

I've heard this before from the Scottish Duo "The Corries" It's a great song.

[@TrueBlueEG8]

Tears of laughter streaming down my face as I type, and I have heard this before, fucking pure magic :D

[@jamiefitzgrade7960]

Actually can't believe this little tune. Its literally brilliant

[@paulsimmons59]

my grandad arthur taught us all these songs,a much missed man

[@mrdude2010]

The mythbusters did this one, and it's apparently actually possible.

[@Pogohg]

And still be alive? Because I think he should be dead after a ride like that...

[@AlagomSwede]

I do believe they only did 5 (or so) floors, but even then their accelerometers concluded that the guy was dead in pretty much every conceivable way that blunt force impact can kill you.

[@alphapennsylvania9439]

He wasn't Irish and that's why he died

[@tessavermeulen]

I simply love this one. It's definitely my kind of humor and everytime I hear it I'm laughing. Thanks for sharing :)

[@RAWDernison1]

There's a LEGO version somewhere at Joo Tjoop, enjoy that as your recovering, Paddy.

[@Doorkicker505]

I haven't hear this song. It's a good one.

[@dennisjay1791]

Brilliant song

[@andrewcunnington9186]

marvelous song

[@riceski]

Great - just great - Thanks for sharing

[@TheMrseringobragh]

Really love this.

[@tiphany2006]

@hmart47 he let go of the rope so the barrel is heavier than the rope so it started down once more :)

[@onkelbuke]

fantastic, i love the Dubliners.

[@Kwakmanonthebay]

@ArRithArLuasLasrach If Pat Cooksey "wrote" this in 1969 (according to his website) how comes Gerard Hoffnung was performing it in Oxford in 1958? Like you say, do a bit of research . . . . .

[@0mnif00l]

The barrel then being heavier, It started down once more. And landed right across me as I lay upon the floor. Well, it broke three ribs, and my left arm, and I can only say: that I can only hope you can understand, Why Paddy's not at work today... -_-;;;

[@jhancock65]

bloody brilliant!

[@x713xBloodPsychosis]

Love.

[@xlbyg07]

the first time i heard it i was laughing so hard i nearly pxxxed me pants and i still chuckle at it every time i hear it :-()

[@MarkMark-id8tw]

No computers,,,autotune,,,lip syncing,,,,list goes on....sick i wasnt around for these years of actual music

[@ftlaudyfred]

Good one!! I really enjoyed it.

[@skygliderjack]

love this song

[@tommyrockon]

You can find what I believe is the original of this story in the fifties at the Oxford Union speech by Gerrard Hoffnung on you tube. Far funnier than any musical rendition by the master.

[@leeanneairey6503]

great song

[@atlerthedark3639]

Sounds like someone didn't get his share of Irish luck

[@mickodillon1480]

as with most irish people! sure we haven't a chance like!

[@katemarin8363]

Perhaps not- But it may well BE his irrepressible Irish luck that let him sing about it later, rather than others having to tell his story post mortem ~

[@doylio9]

I used to listen to this in fits of laughter with my Dad, Tom Doyle.

[@RedSkyHorizon]

Lovin it.

[@keeffrost4428]

This sounds like my actual day to day life.....🤯

[@rpgplayer101]

@margatelad Nope. this is Sean Cannon

[@Bowlingdan]

This is comedic genius.

[@LordOwenLongstrider]

I love this song, it is one of the funniest I've ever heard. Poor Pady just can't get a break, oh, wait, he got quite a few, didn't he? :D

[@Donkelo]

This is the best reason to be sick ever. =)

[@0mnif00l]

-Well- I lay there groaning on the ground, I (thought) I passed the worst. The Barrel hit the pulley wheel, and then the bottom burst. While a shower of bricks, rained down on me, I hadn't got a hope. As I lay there moaning on the ground, I let go the bloody rope. u-u'''

[@0mnif00l]

While working on the fourteenth floor, some bricks i had to clear To throw them down from such a height It was not a good idea The Foreman wasn't very pleased, He being an awkward...son, (He said) I'd have to cart them down the ladders in me hud (?) -Now- Clearing all these bricks by hand, it was so very slow So, I hoisted up a barrel, and secured the rope below, but in me haste to do the job, I was too blind to see That a barrel full of building bricks was heavier than me.

[@77pob]

Good man ya Sean!!!!!!!!

[@peon47]

Is there a line missing from this? I remember a version where he hit the barrel again, as he fell down after hitting the pulley, and it shot up after spilling the bricks.

[@Silveryne]

It has a reason. Sean speaks with an Irish accent. So, he has to speak/sing like this, otherwise the foreigners wouldn't understand him.

[@JackBrouwer]

No one can perform it as funny as Sean Cannon can. check out 'the pool song', very funny as well!

[@xenmosh]

best song ever

[@rufusandburne]

LOL i had some Irish steel fixers working for me a while back & they was pissed all the time, I had to sack them.

[@SunChildl]

I wonder if this will work with my thesis committee....

[@johnkennedy5799]

This NOT Barney, this is Sean...i know, because i was THERE !

[@louiselovesdaron]

it so cool

[@rpgplayer101]

@hmart47 The barrel had yet to be unloaded so the bricks where still in it: Now, clearing all these bricks by hand it was so very slow, so I hoisted up a barrel and secured the rope below. But in me haste to do the job I was to blind to see that a barrelful of building bricks was heavier than me. So when I untied the rope the barrel fell like lead and clinging tightly to the rope I started up instead.

[@0mnif00l]

Hey friends. I wanted to learn this song for my guys at the pub, so i committed it to memory in writing, and decided to post it here for anyone to use. Use the "show comment" button here to cascade the whole song and if you want others to see it like the comment to keep this bumped up. Many thanks to Dubliners for playing and rpg'er for posting. Salute'

[@harryf200]

If you think this is funny, listen to this spoken version recorded in 1958 recording by Gerard Hoffnung. It is far superior as a piece of comedy. Apparently, the Dubliners (Pat Cookey) and the Hoffnung versions are based on a musical hall recitation from the 1920's and, according to Dick Gaughan, was first published in The Readers Digest in 1928.

[@chucknorrishunters]

this is the best song ever the dubliners are the best band ever RIP RONNY AND LUKE!!!!!!!!

[@tunezmad]

Brilliant

[@darkiee69]

@WhiltiernaAria Where do you think they got the myth from? ;o)

[@PshhDean]

Im glad my Dad told me to listen to this, HAHA

[@internationalhippie]

thisis so bloody funny beyond

[@KieranMac2000]

@minerva53 no whisky is scottish

[@chewie211171]

What would Work Cover have to say about this???

[@ChibiTails]

The original is the bricklayer's song.

[@0mnif00l]

Well, the barrel broke me shoulder, s'to the ground it sped. And when I reached the top, I banged the pulley with me head. Well, I clung on tight, though numb with shock from this almighty blow, and the barrel spilled out half the bricks fourteen floors below.

[@victoriatalbot6374]

the luck of the Irish at its worst

[@superdarby101]

who is singing dat song?

[@roisinrichards5001]

brilliance

[@AZPadawanGirl]

AMEN!!!

[@x713xBloodPsychosis]

Sod is the surface of the ground that has grass growing on it o.o

[@Aduah]

@themaskobscure But actually this original concept appeared in a joke book originally in the 1800's

[@williamthieshen2840]

Funniest thing I've ever heard! Malachi McCourt was the first narrater I heard recite it!

[@fakeaccount9952]

Just saw this on Imgur, and had to listen to it

[@kerstmanneke82]

@margatelad If that was barney, the song'd last nine minutes, but you'd have a great story added too.

[@stevebednell4098]

this is the bricklayers song by the corries

[@tony10396861]

This is clearly neither Barney nor Ciaran Bourke, its Sean Cannon

[@stalkersas]

hahahah epic XD this is the exact same story in 1 mit tested by the mithbusters ! thumbs up ^^

[@0mnif00l]

-Now- When these bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor, I then outweighed the barrel, so then started down below. Still clinging tightly to the rope, I sped towards the ground. And I landed on the broken bricks that were all scattered round.

[@wuzcloopin]

Haha, I'll have to use this next time I call in sick

[@ToxicBarracuda]

@0Gumpy0 I think he was onabout lepracorns (sorry if wrong spelling) but who cares, its funny.

[@Zanghief]

super song, much better than the weird american version. "a barrel full of building bricks was heavier than me" haha sadly the type of thing I figure out when it's too late :D

[@carschannel3099]

Pissing my pants. With laughter

[@rufusandburne]

That's very true, D:)

[@vatreeete]

@margatelad No Sean is singing -.-

[@coudinio]

Its Ciaran Bourke not Sean Cannon.

[@TheHeLennon]

Fucking Brilliant - i LOVE ireland and all who dwell in her x

[@jamiefitzgrade7960]

Your high

[@TrueBlueEG8]

fucking quality, good man sean cannon:-)

[@silentsniperrr]

This song deserves more recognition. Instead of shitty modern music.... this actually makes more entertainment