The Cambridge Navvies - Part 1

The Cambridge Navvies with lyrics and melody by Patrick Olsen, Chorus and Harmonies and Score by Bethany Kirby

VERSE ONE The Navvies were men who made the canals,
For twelve hours a day they’d sweat with their pals,
Movin’ twenty tonnes of earth in a barrow up a plank, And leavin’ it all at the top of the bank.

VERSE TWO The navvies were men who laid the train tracks, Cutting through hills with a pick and an axe, Lay-in’ the ties and covered them with stones. Sun burning their skin and wind freezing their bones.

CHORUS Oh the navvies came to our town from Ireland and Cornwall and all around Oh the navvies united they stand from Wales and Scotland and far away lands

VERSE THREE When the whistle would blow, they’d off to their homes, Built near the tracks so they’d not far to go. For wages they’d get beef and a gallon of beer.. Then they’d drink and they'd stink all with a very good cheer.

CHORUS Oh the navvies came to our town from Ireland and Cornwall and all around Oh the navvies united they stand from Wales and Scotland and far away lands

VERSE FOUR When they got near to Cambridge, they ran into a bind, The colleges they said, (suddenly whispering) “noisy navvies must pay a fine” (a little louder) So the navvies built the station a mile out of town…(loud again) Where they wouldn’t disturb all the men in their gowns. Well our train tracks and boat paths are amazingly loooooong (hold this note until everyone turns blue) Built by the navvies the heroes of song.

CHORUS Oh the navvies came to our town from Ireland and Cornwall and all around Oh the navvies united they stand from Wales and Scotland and far away lands