The Pogues - Poor Paddy: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Poor Paddy" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

G                                    C     G
In 1800 and 41, me corduroy breeches I put on
                     C     G
Me corduroy breeches I put on
    C                          G
To work upon the railway, the railway
                  C   G
I'm weary of the railway
      C          D       G
Poor Paddy works on the railway

Chorus:
G
In 1800 and 42, from Hartlepool I moved to Crewe
                           C              G
Found myself a job to do, working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches,
       C              G
I was working on the railway
In 1800 and 43, I broke the shovel across me knee
Went to work for the company on the Leeds
to Selby railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches,
I was working on the Railway

In 1800 and 44, I landed on the Liverpool shore
My belly was empty, me hands were raw
With working on the railway, the railway
I'm sick to my guts of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

Chorus:
In 1800 and 45, when Daniel O'Connell,
he was alive
When Daniel O'Connell, he was alive
and working on the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches,
I was working on the railway
In 1800 and 46, I changed my trade
to carrying bricks
I changed my trade to carrying bricks
to work upon the railway
I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches,
I was working on the railway

In 1800 and 47, Poor Paddy was thinking
of going to Heaven
The old bugger was thinking of going to Heaven
To work upon the railway, the railway
I'm sick to my death of the railway
Poor Paddy works on the railway

I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches
Pulling switches, dodging pitches
I was working on the railway

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Guitar Chord Diagrams

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

G

Guitar chord G

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Poor Paddy" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Poor Paddy" by The Pogues.

The Pogues Song List