Digital Tradition Mirror

I've Worked Eight Hours This Day

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

I've Worked Eight Hours This Day
(Felix McLennon)

Have ye heard the rule, me boys, the latest rule, me boys?
You mustn't work more than eight hours any day or else you're fined.
Eight hours work a day, then eight hours to play
Ye must work no more, d'ye mind?
Pat had a load of bricks tonight, 'twas striking six
The top of the ladder he was on but wouldn't leave thim thin,
He wouldn't work overtime for that would be a crime.
Says he, " I'll carry them down agin."

cho: "For I've worked eight hours this day
     And I think I've earned my pay,
     Ye can stop out there in the rain and swear
     I won't work half a minute longer."

Patsy Mulligan last night got full agin,
He came home drunk at two o'clock A.M. and made a din;
He kicked at the dur, he did, jumped on the flure, he did,
Shouted, "Bridget, let me in."
She heard the shindy and she opened the windy,
And says she, "Is that you Pat ? " Says he, "Sure, I'm wet to the skin.'
Says she, "I'm sorry, Pat, but till to-morry, Pat,
Me darling, I can't let ye in---"

CHoaus: "For I've worked eight hours this day
        And I think I've earned my pay,
         Ye can stop out there in the rain and swear,
         I wont work half a minute longer."

Barney Brockey was me fav'rite jockey,
And whene'er he rode a horse I had me bottom dollar on.
He was a flier and a good ould trier.
Wan day I got ten to wan,
Me puids I parted and the horses started;
They ran like the devil up to ten yards from the winning-post,
Then he stopped; bedad I nearly dropped, bedad.
Says he, "To-morrow I'll finish this race---
cho: "For I've worked eight hours this day,
     And I think I've earned my pay,
     The others may pass, let my horse eat grass,
     I wont work half a minute longer."

Johnny Hooligan's been made a fool agin:
He went to the barber's just to get a decent penny shave,
He'd lovely whiskers on, Donegal whiskers on,
But bad that barber did behave.
He soaped and lathered, then he jawed and blathered;
He scraped wan side of Johnny's face so nice and clean all o'er,
He went to the other jaw, then the clock he saw,
Says he, "To-morrow I'll finish the shave---

cho: "For I've worked eight hours this day,
     And I think I've earned my pay,
     Lave your whiskers on till the mornin', John,
     I wont work half a minute longer."

Now, I am quiet and I don't like riot,
But last night at the corner of the street a man came up to me,
Says he, "I'll batter ye, bedad, I'll scatter ye,"
And then he smashed my nose, d'ye see ?
His fist was a whopper, so I called out, "Copper! "
Then a P'liceman grabbed him, and says he, "Me boy I have ye tight
Then the clock did chime, says he, "Luk at the time,
I can't lock this man up to-night---

cho: "For I've worked eight hours this day
     And I think I've earned my pay,
     Fa la loo ting, ting, put yer nose in a sling,
     I won't work half a minute longer."


Note: ca 1890, immediately after the introduction of the eight-hour day.
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!