Paddy is Yer Man
© Peter Chapman 1997
Paddy is yer man for the shovel and spade
Roll ’em, roll ’em
Paddy is yer man for the navvying trade
Let them navvies roll ’em
Roll ’em up and roll ’em down
Roll ’em, roll ’em
Roll ’em back to Duberlin town
Let them navvies roll ’em
They dug out Mr Brindley’s ditch
Roll ’em, roll ’em
Then they went to Middlewich
Let them navvies roll ’em
Roll ’em up etc
Well they dug the Shroppie down the sun
Roll ’em, roll ’em
The Erewash and the Grand Junction
Let them navvies roll ’em
Roll ’em up etc
They worked for the railroad men in time
Roll ’em, roll ’em
Dug the cuttings and laid the line
Let them navvies roll ’em
Roll ’em up etc
Now the diesel motor’s here to stay
Roll ’em, roll ’em
They’re working on the motorway
Let them navvies roll ’em
Roll ’em up and roll ’em down
Roll ’em, roll ’em
Roll ’em back to Duberlin town
Let them navvies - roll ’em!!
Peter states that this was "written as a canal ‘shanty‘ when living aboard the FMC motor 'Quail' as the only working
song seemed to be about ‘legging’".