To those wondering: The song is about the Irish workers and the back-breaking (and often life-taking) work they went through to construct the railroads all across the continental United States of America. While Asians were exploited pretty harshly in this regard, the Irish (as Flogging Molly often sing of for obvious reasons) were viewed as just as expendable as their 'slant eyed' laborer kin. "They're only paddies, just paddies, don't dig them too deep, you'll need all your strength boys, they're replaced easily" reinforces this, paddies is a term of the Irish. Give them a shallow grave, they aren't worth the effort of giving a proper burial is what the line means. I could break the song down further if viewers would prefer
I work on a factory that has a railroad running through the back of it. Last week my supervisor told me the clean out the trash on the rail and this song came to mind :) does this count?
Nobody would prefer that. You're the dude who tries to break down Rick and morty jokes for those of us who aren't smart enough for pickle Rick, aren't you?
Excellent Song. Been listening to this album non stop for the last week and I generally repeat this song a few time. Gets me everytime. The lyrics and the soft melody would melt the hardest of hearts.
I do disaster respose, tree work. I travel all over the U.S. this song mean more to me than any other. my true love is in Florida, and her arms I'll always be a part of.
Scott Nichols Fellow traveling worker here. It's a hard life we live to make our ends meet, spending so long away from home. For what it's worth, you've got my respect for staying true to your love and keeping her in your heart every day. It's not easy to live on the road, but we do it, and we carry on strong. Respect to you, friend, and here's hoping the time left away from your sweetheart is nearly done.
Oh godammit. I remember watching this ten years ago. Listened to the song a lot since then, but for some reason rudimentary slideshow version of it brought back the feeling of listening to it as a 15 year old like the tune by itself never has.
Well I worked on the railroad For t'pence a day Drank down one penny The other I'd save I hammered and I hammered For God knows how long Well into madness, with each setting sun I put my head down and I dreamt you were here With me by the ol' tree, where no one could care Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys Away from ya now I'm lyin' with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found Then the sun belched upon me You were no longer here Lyin' in your place was my hammer and my gear So I stamped out the fire that kept us both warm The ashes were fallin' Like the snow drops of old We came to a mountain Dynamite and she'll blow A big hole in that rock Like the one in my soul Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys Away from ya now I'm lyin' with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found We buried four workmen They dug themselves well From four empty coffins, to four early graves They're only paddys, just paddys Don't dig them too deep You'll need all your strength boys And they're replaced easily With the heat I was melting Into your sweet lips Ah, your kiss takes me back Takes me back from all this Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys Away from ya now I'm lyin' with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found Someone said it was Christmas But not a tree was in sight The only thing growin' was my will to die Till the gaffer said 'men, your work here is done' I said 'I'll see you in Hell, on that train we died for' Never again, will I smell your sweet dream But a pissed stained ol' gutter where: You lips used to be Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys Away from ya now I'm lyin' with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found
The odd mix of genre makes this band absolutely amazing :) from moshing to drunken lullabies to then sitting back with a pint of ale listening to this.. Does anyone else feel that this should of been the opening track to hells on wheels series ? lol
I'm from Argentina, i'm working in tierra del fuego national park as a Ranger. When im working hammering stones to the footpaths or chopping wood to get warm, this song sounds in my head
my great great great grandma came from ireland her husband was irish he was working on the railroad he hauled boxes of dynamtie and he was planting dynamite in a mountain and the tunnel colapsed killing him leaving his irish born wife alone with 3 kids
The song is abought how far we have come from home an how we miss home an how we be a dime a dozen an thay can toss us out an ten more are waiting to take are place . It is still tough to be Irish . So meany of the young Irish in the u.s. forget an it pisses me off ! Don"t for get who ya are ! Teach your kids !
Lovely song. The fucked up thing is that here in Ireland there isn't a station in existence that would give them any radio airplay. christmas song then said never again. Good music not getting to the people... And the shite they do play! What a shame
Beautiful song, here are the lyrics btw. Let's meet in a pub somewhere, and sing this while we drink together. Well, I worked on the railroad For twopence a day I drank down one penny The other I'd save I hammered and I hammered For God knows how long Well into madness With each setting sun I put my head down And I dreamt you were here With me by the old tree Where no one could care Far away, boys, far away, boys Away from you now I'm lying with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found Then the sun belched upon me You were no longer here Lying in your place was My hammer and my gear So I stamped out the fire That kept us both warm The ashes were falling Like the snowdrops of old We came to a mountain Dynamite and she'll blow A big hole in that rock Like the one in my soul We buried four workmen They dug themselves well From four empty coffins To four early graves They're only paddys, just paddys Don't dig them too deep You'll need all your strength, boys They're replaced easily With the heat I was melting Into your sweet lips Ah, your kiss takes me back Takes me back from all this Far away, boys, far away, boys Away from you now I'm lying with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found Someone said it was Christmas Not a tree was in sight The only thing growing Was my will to die Till the gaffer said, men Your work here is done Said I'll see you in hell On that train we died for Never again Will I smell your sweet dream But a piss-stained old gutter Where your lips used to be Far away, boys, far away, boys Away from you now I'm lying with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found Far away, boys, far away, boys Away from you now I'm lying with my sweetheart In her arms I'll be found
i did a search for the song a while back and the only video for it had pictures of football and such stuff in it. i had a lot of spare time so i decided to make this to help capture some of the meaning! the pics are from many internet searches and some of my own.
@kentishsteve i'd class them as american, dave king (the singer) is from dublin tho but i think the rest of the band are american. they formed in LA to the best of my knowledge
Have you's guys heard "The Pogues - The band played waltzing matilda"? check it out- listen to the 8:00 version- its on my favorites if need be. It reminds me of this song kinda.
@EastOrthodxChristian At the root we're all Irish or people descended from Irish blood we all share the same in one form or another but I do agree with your point also just don't turn your back on Erin's Isle 'cause that's what will prevent 32=1 I believe it will happen eventually just not now
8 years late for a reply but in case you never found out. A paddy is a slur used for someone from Ireland. In other words it's an insulting way to address an Irishman
