My friend worked for McAlpine, he is now 84, he laughed with this song, but he said it wasn't as bad as that, but the pay was good. A great Song. Greetings from Northern Ireland.
I'm not Irish but I love Irish music. Luke Kelly is incredible. Just listen to Luke sing McAlpine's Fusiliers, Galway Races, and Shoals of Herring; no one does them better. God Bless Luke Kelly and God Bless Ireland!
hahah I love the song. And the verse "I worked... with Russian, Czech and Pole" is on the time again, as lots of Poles work in Ireland, many of them in the construction industry:)) Greetings from Poland!!
Luke, the BARD of singers! There is no voice like you again. That red hair.... it had an ecosystem of it's own! A soul, that I feel will come back to educate us all. God bless you, and all of the Dubliners xxxxx
Have had to come to London to work just like all these other Irish men, makes me so proud to be Irish seeing what all these men did and what we are doing today to feed our families back home. Long live the Irish
My dad worked for McAlpines back in the day when he came over from Connemara, thank God he left the singing to Luke, his voice was terrible! Still miss you dad after all these years.
My aul' man was a McAlpine's fusilier. Coming off the boat at Ardyne one day, there was a Scots piper on board, he was there to pipe out the launch one of the rigs. A Dungloe man,a far better piper asked to borrow the pipes and he piped all McAlpine's men off the boat to the tune of McAlpine's Fusiliers. Legend.
@@jamessim1858 James I quite agree but on that particular day the Irish guy was by far and away the better piper and the Scottish guy was happy for him to take over. I watched a Scottish pipers competition in Glasgow once around Yoker direction I think. Over twenty competing pipe bands. Great stuff altogether. You need to be less touchy James.
Brilliant job, thanks for uploadin this. i wish more people my age would look up to these people like luke kelly and the dubliners and wolfe tones. these songs were written for men who sacraficed their lives for OUR country! Be greatful and keep sharing the words spoken in the songs to everyone.
I remember my dad and a friend sitting in the house in the Gorbals Glasgow when this song played on the Radio, they both had a good laugh and as Irish navvies knew what the song meant
I got a Dubliners CD a couple of years ago without my mum's permission and it was one of the best things I ever did, as I love their music, love Luke's banjo playing, and am going to see the Dublin Legends in 3 weeks time.
Wonderful comment on the gritty and dangerous lives of exploited workers. True today in USA with greedy coal mining companies placing production above worker safety! Luke is such a genuine and powerful voice that it sounds like these men have one of their own to tell their story. Great song and moving performance!!
Sure we love all the songs sung by Our lovely Luke. His powerful voice is so magical and to be able bewitch us until today. We 'll keep you, Luke, always in our hearts! You did the Folk Songs History!
The definitive London Irish song working man's song. I had no idea that Luke had recorded this, I'd only heard Ronnie's version. 'If you pride your life, don't join, by Christ.'
It's a great debate as to the greatest Irish singer ever, in my opinion No one ever sang a ballad with such passion and feeling as Luke Kelly, and with Paddy Reilly I rate them the very best ever,the irish ballad had alomst died out before the Clancy's and then the Dubluners saved them. I now do my oen bit performing them around the clubs, life's a craic
My father from co monaghan worked on the hydro dams and down deep in many holes around scotland building places like ravenscraig steelmill and schemes in glasgow in the 50s and 60s I love luke and the boys thanks Kelly ::))
Can i just say to the man that put these songs up mhaith hu mo chara...this is a great thing that you have done and a sincere thank u for keepin luke and the boys going
No disrespect to ronnie drew, but this version is my favorite. Then again, he might have agreed. Those two were such a potent duo. Half hour till Luke's birthday and UA-cam plays this. Good work algorithm.
I have never heard such conviction. . . as if he whole-heartedly relates to the song he sings. Really a beautiful example of what music ought to be. . . sometimes we are blessed & it is what it ought to be. Thanks for this recording, it has & will continue to warm my heart, lord willing, for years to come.
@NorStarReviews 16 and loving it! been into luke and evrything folk and irish since the tender age of 13...and to those who say why do i listen to 'that' music i say fuck off and listen to something proper. this music has history and soul!
As a fellow with experience in concrete work,including hydroelectric dams,I just fuckin love this song.I am part Irish as well(maternal grandmother county kilkenny) .
These Lyrics ring through. Recession We Havent a clue about the Hard TImes. God Bless the Irish Navvy! Not loud or proud but got the Job done and had the craic and still managed to raise a family in as hard times.
ur a 'ledge'. i truly mean that.Men like u that made ireland the great country it is. me da was one of men like u. Yez did all the hard graft..today it's babies with soft hands tkn shite to men that we should be on our hands an knees for the thanking for the work the real men of ireland did!!this mental. Best wishes to u. ur totes a good man.back breaking work that people take for granted..but in the end of the day... they'd be fkd without us strong ones😉
This is all i remember of the late 70's early 80's, the Dubliners, the mud, the blood and the beer. Moving from 1 prefab to another, an yuk, sharing 1 bed 3 guys doing shifts.
Heard Dominic Behan sing that solo in the Royal Albert Hall in1969. He made the rafters roar! I adapted it to my subbie, McCaffrey to give the lads a lift on a Monday morning.
A lot of information I've gathered over a few years leads me to believe that this was the VERY 1st recording of Luke Kelly to go to air on Radio Eireinn.
Mac Alpine was a huge construction company that employed many illegal Irish workers to help build modern British motorways in the 50/60s,very hard work for little pay and dreadful conditions.
What was an illegal Irish worker? All Irish workers in England were and are entitled to be there and don't need a visa now nor didn't need one back then to work... I don't understand what you are saying???
KJVism Sorry,your right I should have said Cheap Irish workers not illegal.thanks for correcting me,it's always better to know the facts and not the myths.
Sorry mate you are wrong there too. OK, long time ago but I left a job in an office in Mayfair to join McAlpine as a labourer. The work was obviously a HELL of a lot harder but my wages went from £24 a week (office) to £56 a week (McAlpine).
A rare gem - Luke singing a song more usually associated with Ronnie. Both of them much and sadly missed! :(
worked for McAlpines in the 70's - sung this song in the pub at Christmas with the lads from the site. Luke is the man - no doubt
That is pretty awesome :)
That is pretty awesome :)
This comment made us smile a lot coz her bro sings this song as soon as he has a btl....
good man, solid
My friend worked for McAlpine, he is now 84, he laughed with this song, but he said it wasn't as bad as that, but the pay was good. A great Song. Greetings from Northern Ireland.
This was my Grandfathers party piece. He sung this well I have been told. Irishman in Brazil missing home. Thank you for the video.
I can understand you!
A hard lyric to remember. Your Grandda was talented with music, God rest him
I'm not Irish but I love Irish music. Luke Kelly is incredible. Just listen to Luke sing McAlpine's Fusiliers, Galway Races, and Shoals of Herring; no one does them better. God Bless Luke Kelly and God Bless Ireland!
Agree with you there but the Shoals of Herring isn’t an Irish song….Ewan MacColl wrote it although Luke Kelly sings a version of it well.
Check out Luke's version of Raglan Road which was written by poet Patrick Kavanagh.
hahah I love the song. And the verse
"I worked... with Russian, Czech and Pole" is on the time again, as lots of Poles work in Ireland, many of them in the construction industry:)) Greetings from Poland!!
Poles are hard workers. Well deserved reputation. Poles and Irish have a lot in common, thats why we integrate better than other nations together.
Imagine if England had to do it haha, fair play lad,
I think the poles and the Irish are cut from the same cloth. Not afraid of hard work. Lots of Polish people married in here in the last twenty years.
@@eoinocnaimhsi2598 See The Way They Would Not Help The Poor People At Their Borders The Real Irish Are The True Roman Catholics Of Europe.☘🇮🇪
Maybe We Should Not Help Ye? ☘🇮🇪
Luke, the BARD of singers! There is no voice like you again. That red hair.... it had an ecosystem of it's own! A soul, that I feel will come back to educate us all. God bless you, and all of the Dubliners xxxxx
Excellent
This is by far my favorite version. Thank you for posting this song.
Check out the kings of connaughts version, luke kelly lives on in that guy I swear
Have had to come to London to work just like all these other Irish men, makes me so proud to be Irish seeing what all these men did and what we are doing today to feed our families back home. Long live the Irish
My dad worked for McAlpines back in the day when he came over from Connemara, thank God he left the singing to Luke, his voice was terrible! Still miss you dad after all these years.
My aul' man was a McAlpine's fusilier. Coming off the boat at Ardyne one day, there was a Scots piper on board, he was there to pipe out the launch one of the rigs. A Dungloe man,a far better piper asked to borrow the pipes and he piped all McAlpine's men off the boat to the tune of McAlpine's Fusiliers. Legend.
Hey Irish the Scottish pipers are the best in the world not your mob so better live with that!
@Seosamh MacAoidh It was an awful long time ago but my husband thinks his first name was Danny if that’s any help. Us MacAoidh’s must stick together.
@@jamessim1858 James I quite agree but on that particular day the Irish guy was by far and away the better piper and the Scottish guy was happy for him to take over. I watched a Scottish pipers competition in Glasgow once around Yoker direction I think. Over twenty competing pipe bands. Great stuff altogether. You need to be less touchy James.
Brilliant job, thanks for uploadin this. i wish more people my age would look up to these people like luke kelly and the dubliners and wolfe tones. these songs were written for men who sacraficed their lives for OUR country! Be greatful and keep sharing the words spoken in the songs to everyone.
I remember my dad and a friend sitting in the house in the Gorbals Glasgow when this song played on the Radio, they both had a good laugh and as Irish navvies knew what the song meant
Luke can join the few, V. Few singers who shine ******
like a beacon across the years & miles. I'm so glad I was around to see him... genius !
I agree totally. Great job Kelly. I've played folk music for years but Luke inspired me to pick up the 5 string banjo.
Superb!
For me this is the best version I've heard of a great song. I've stood behind a mixer.
This Guy has one of the most recognised voices from the Green Isle along with a few other legends
Emerald
Give 'em enough rope
I got a Dubliners CD a couple of years ago without my mum's permission and it was one of the best things I ever did, as I love their music, love Luke's banjo playing, and am going to see the Dublin Legends in 3 weeks time.
Why would you need your mum's permission to buy a CD?
I didn't. She was mad, though, but hey, going to see them, so you know, it's all good.
@@pedrom8831 Because she said no to the CD and I ended up asking my stepdad to buy it for me.
luke kelly is the best irish singer to ever grace the scene this song just further proves it
Love this version, kellyoneill fair play for putting these up. Spreading the legend that is Luke Kelly, hats off to you
I never liked this song until i heard luke do it,
now its one of my faves.
It's a shame it's not on Spotify (I think) I'd listen to it every day on the hour long bus ride.
@@m25632 I could send you a copy via email if you would like.
You're all right mate, I'll just use youtube, thanks though and much love from Scotland.
Kelly - thanks for uploading so many great Dubliners/Luke tracks...cheers🍻
Voice of an angel. !!!
R. I. P. Lucky enough to see him live when i was a very young boy Bradford Alhambra 1982 i think it was
Wonderful comment on the gritty and dangerous lives of exploited workers. True today in USA with greedy coal mining companies placing production above worker safety! Luke is such a genuine and powerful voice that it sounds like these men have one of their own to tell their story. Great song and moving performance!!
Sure we love all the songs sung by Our lovely Luke. His powerful voice is so magical and to be able bewitch us until today. We 'll keep you, Luke, always in our hearts! You did the Folk Songs History!
Was born in the Isle of Grain Kent.met many a great Irishman growing up there 🇮🇪🇮🇪
R.I.P. - Luke and Ronnie. You are true Irish Legends. You will be never forgotten. Regards from Germany
איר זענט אַ ויוון לאָודער
A friend of mine worked on the roads in England - everytime I hear this song it reminds me of him!!
Forever on the road
Kelly.....you are great
Some guy Irish songs......Who can not love our Luke...he is a legend...RIP
The definitive London Irish song working man's song. I had no idea that Luke had recorded this, I'd only heard Ronnie's version. 'If you pride your life, don't join, by Christ.'
Luke Kelly legend great version of da song👌🇮🇪
It's a great debate as to the greatest Irish singer ever, in my opinion No one ever sang a ballad with such passion and feeling as Luke Kelly, and with Paddy Reilly I rate them the very best ever,the irish ballad had alomst died out before the Clancy's and then the Dubluners saved them. I now do my oen bit performing them around the clubs, life's a craic
My father from co monaghan worked on the hydro dams and down deep in many holes around scotland building places like ravenscraig steelmill and schemes in glasgow in the 50s and 60s I love luke and the boys thanks Kelly ::))
This music and the people of Dublin have touched us all in one way or another for the better long live the music the dubliners and the craic.
Wow, what a gem of a find
This is an amazing cut. Thanks for posting it!
Love this song to be fair like all there songs listen to them all the time ♡
Can i just say to the man that put these songs up mhaith hu mo chara...this is a great thing that you have done and a sincere thank u for keepin luke and the boys going
Thank you so much for sharing this! Ronnie Drew does a lovely job with this song, but Luke Kelly's version is brilliant, as well.
No disrespect to ronnie drew, but this version is my favorite. Then again, he might have agreed. Those two were such a potent duo.
Half hour till Luke's birthday and UA-cam plays this. Good work algorithm.
I have never heard such conviction. . . as if he whole-heartedly relates to the song he sings. Really a beautiful example of what music ought to be. . . sometimes we are blessed & it is what it ought to be. Thanks for this recording, it has & will continue to warm my heart, lord willing, for years to come.
This should have more views, I listen to this every day.
My favorite recording of all time
Class!..... He was young there.
I had never heard it by Luke Kelly. Thanks for sharing
@NorStarReviews 16 and loving it! been into luke and evrything folk and irish since the tender age of 13...and to those who say why do i listen to 'that' music i say fuck off and listen to something proper. this music has history and soul!
Love the banjo, I well remember the £2 sub on a Tuesday and down to the Plumbers Arms with it after work for a few pints.
all these songs remind me of bein in d oul lads car wen i was only a gosson, gud times, great music!!
As a fellow with experience in concrete work,including hydroelectric dams,I just fuckin love this song.I am part Irish as well(maternal grandmother county kilkenny)
.
Songs like these never lose their appeal
@drbobbeattie
So true my friend, i sang this song as a young man in construction in the early 70's..still can just manage to recall the words today!
UA-cam the kings of connaught singing this, they really do it justice. They smash rocky road to Dublin aswell
ua-cam.com/video/AQeNtDPD98s/v-deo.html
luke and voice a 5 string and 6 beers slaite thank you ireland
Slainte
Worked in London in tunneling and on the piling barges in cannery WARF was waste land and back for the cross rail tunneling project
Jesus this chore can chant I listened to many of cushdy old songs off his g b h R I p .
Pure class, Luke's premature death was a big loss to Ireland and the world RIP
I'll always prefer Ronnie's version, but Luke's is equally brilliant.
agreed
Old one but a good one
Didn't know of Luke Kelly until recently - what a treat I've been missing! Wonderful!
MapujaB
Superb man brings back my youth?, used to jam this with the swifts loved it, and gettin together with the bhoys.
Just pure class
@MrFlathatter My dad also worked on the the buildins in Birmingham in the 1950s /1960s he worked for John Langs
These Lyrics ring through. Recession We Havent a clue about the Hard TImes. God Bless the Irish Navvy! Not loud or proud but got the Job done and had the craic and still managed to raise a family in as hard times.
18 and I think this song is epic, directly from Argentina. I wish luke was alive, to be honest he's the best
Easy on the age brackets ! I am near to 75 and love the traditional music of Many countries. They are all gone now may they rest in peace.
@kellyoneill Wel a sincere thank you to the fair colleen that put these songs up. Go raibh mile mhaith agat
A life cut intolerably short . God bless you Luke.
luke kelly is the best of any the dubs although they all have their own qualities n specialities
May God bless the forgotten Irish who built Britain and many other countries.
Amen❤
A fusilier, is my opinion,is a reference to a soldier,as part of Mcalpines army, hence Mac alpines Fusiliers
ur a 'ledge'. i truly mean that.Men like u that made ireland the great country it is. me da was one of men like u. Yez did all the hard graft..today it's babies with soft hands tkn shite to men that we should be on our hands an knees for the thanking for the work the real men of ireland did!!this mental. Best wishes to u. ur totes a good man.back breaking work that people take for granted..but in the end of the day... they'd be fkd without us strong ones😉
@xgi36 Yes, may they rest in peace. 75 thats fantastic, I am 42 & i love traditional music too... Cheers.!!!!!
Kellyoneill where in the world did you get this? Best version by far!
Did you get it from a CD?
Best version. Obviously
Great version!!!!
great tune
Where these amazing Solo recordings be found? I must have them.
@NorStarReviews 34 i am my good man,but luke kelly....what a man..love him..
macs men nearly all gone now hard workers good men god bless them all
great version
I sank a few pints with McAlpines men in Cricklewood in the Castle, The Rifle , Crown and other pubs, great times.
16 myself aswell and love ALL of Lukes songs.
This is all i remember of the late 70's early 80's, the Dubliners, the mud, the blood and the beer. Moving from 1 prefab to another, an yuk, sharing 1 bed 3 guys doing shifts.
I Love u kellyoneill.. luke life for ever ❤
Agreed, he was the heart and sole of a group,
but to each their own :)
i pride my life BUT i cannot wait till its over so i can meet drew an kelly aswell as th heros they sing about
Heard Dominic Behan sing that solo in the Royal Albert Hall in1969. He made the rafters roar! I adapted it to my subbie, McCaffrey to give the lads a lift on a Monday morning.
I remember McAlpines fusiliers when I worked on the lump.
Legend
Obviously not Barney on the banjo. Lol
Another great clip. I had never heard Luke sing this one before.
Thats Luke on the banjo and the vocals
Its luke on banjo
My da also worked the roads England for all the " big boys" this song just about sums up his stories!
A lot of information I've gathered over a few years leads me to believe that this was the VERY 1st recording of Luke Kelly to go to air on Radio Eireinn.
doesn't Luke bring this song to life?
That photo....Absolute Rock Star
Luke is singing in his true blue dub voice.
Have to agree, Luke was a fantastic ballad singer, but no one does McAlpines like big Ronnie.
Great song by luke
beautiful version. Really love Ronnie Drew singing this, but Luke has a lovely voice and can sing anything!
I heard Ray Winston wanted to be Irish after he heard this I can see the attraction
Luke,s the man!...A man who none can compare!...Hail to the Dubliners!!!!
God bless Ronnie Drew and may God Bless The Dubliners.
listen to the clancys version
Mac Alpine was a huge construction company that employed many illegal Irish workers to help build modern British motorways in the 50/60s,very hard work for little pay and dreadful conditions.
What was an illegal Irish worker? All Irish workers in England were and are entitled to be there and don't need a visa now nor didn't need one back then to work... I don't understand what you are saying???
KJVism Sorry,your right I should have said Cheap Irish workers not illegal.thanks for correcting me,it's always better to know the facts and not the myths.
well said
Sorry mate you are wrong there too. OK, long time ago but I left a job in an office in Mayfair to join McAlpine as a labourer. The work was obviously a HELL of a lot harder but my wages went from £24 a week (office) to £56 a week (McAlpine).
The Irish weren't illegals although the conditions they worked in may have been