F C F C F C G x2
C F
I'm heading for a life in the land of the free
C G
Sending every penny home to the family
C F
Off to find fortunes that can't be bought
G
Now Paddy's struck down from a single shot
G
Paddy's struck down from a single shot!
F C F C F C G
They lured the men away they promised wealth and riches
A thousand miles from home lying steel and digging ditches
The work would be a challenge nary a soul could stand the trial
These wayfaring boys built the railways toughest mile
Fifty-seven men on the hardest mile!
(Chorus)
C F
Fifty-seven men on the hardest mile
C G
Murdered for their troubles, left to die
C F
Immigrant sons from Donegal, Tyrone & Derry
G
Their numbers were few but they did the job of many
F C F C F C G
Eight weeks went by and the path was clear
Fifty-seven men had all disappeared
Not a mention of their name no stone was ever turned
It would be so many years before the truth was ever learned
(Chorus)
Fifty-seven men on the hardest mile
Murdered for their troubles, left to die
Immigrant sons from Donegal, Tyrone & Derry
Their numbers were few but they did the job of many
F C F C F C G
F F C G x2
F C G
Now ghosts dance a jig on an unmarked grave
F C G
A slug full of lead was the price they were paid
F C G
Vigilante justice, prejudice and pride
G
No one in this valley will be seen again alive
(Chorus)x2
Fifty-seven men on the hardest mile
Murdered for their troubles, left to die
Immigrant sons from Donegal, Tyrone & Derry
Their numbers were few but they did the job of many