verse 1
G G6 D G
Dear Sir, I write this note to you to tell you of me plight
C G A7 D
And at the time of writing, I am not a pretty sight;
C G D Em
My body is all black and blue, my face a deathly gray
G Em D7 G
And I write this note to say why Paddy's not at work today
verse 2
G G6 D G
While working on the fourteenth floor some bricks I had to clear;
C G A7 D
Now, to throw them down from such a height was not a good idea
C G D Em
The foreman wasn't very pleased, he being an awkward sod
G Em D7 G
He said I'd have to cart them down the ladders in me hod
verse 3
G G6 D G
Now, clearing all these bricks by hand it was so very slow
C G A7 D
So I hoisted up a barrel and secured the rope below
C G D Em
But in me haste to do the job I was to blind to see
G Em D7 G
That a barrelful of building bricks was heavier than me
verse 4
G G6 D G
So when I untied the rope the barrel fell like lead
C G A7 D
And clinging tightly to the rope I started up instead
C G D Em
Well, I shot up like a rocket till to my dismay I found
G Em D7 G
That halfway up I met the bloody barrel comming down
Verse 5
G G6 D G
Well, the barrel broke me shoulder as to the ground it sped
C G A7 D
And when I reached the top I banged the pully with my head
C G D Em
Well, I clung on tight through numbed shock from this almighty blow
G Em D7 G
And the barrel spilled out half the bricks fourteen floors below
Verse 6
G G6 D G
Now, when these bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor
C G A7 D
I then outweighed the barrel and so started down once more;
C G D Em
Still clinging tightly to the rope, I sped towards the ground
G Em D7 G
And I landed on the brocken bricks that were all scattered round
Verse 7
G G6 D G
Well, I lay there groaning on the ground, I thought I'd passed the worst
C G A7 D
When the barrel hit the pully-wheel and then the bottom burst
C G D Em
Well, a shower of bricks rained down on me, I hadn't got a hope
G Em D7 G
As I lay there moaning on the ground, I let go of the bloody rope
Verse 8
G G6 D G
The barrel than being heavier, it started down once more
C G A7 D
And landed right across me, as I lay upon the floor
C G D Em
Well, it broke three ribs and my left arm and I can only say
G Em D7 G
That I hope you'll understand why Paddy's not at work today