A fictional Irish immigrant seeks to provide for his family in the Colorado mines.
lyrics
One blow after another caused the rocks to fly and fall
Jack 'Brien , he swung his pick- drove a hole in teh mountain wall
He never raised his head. The only words you'd hear him say was
"Boys, bring on the trolley. One more load for you to haul away, haul away, haul away, boys, bring on the trolley. One more load to haul away
Jack 'Brien, he'd been a carpenter and a sailor and a smith
and he'd oft heard told of the Rockies gold lying hidden deep within
So he brought his darling Mary and the one they had on the way
and he promised her a castle before his soul they'd come and haul away, haul away, haul away
He promised her a castle before his soul they'd haul away
Swing that pick, boys. Rise it to the stars
Pray they always smile on us and find us where we are
Then came that early morning and the shout from down below that said
"Jack come quick. you're Mary's sick. The labor's laying her low. The doctor sent me running. He said return without delay. Just go and get Jack and bring him back before her soul they come and haul away, haul away, haul away. Go and get Jack and bring him back before her soul they haul away
Jack's giant hands were gentle as he held hers to his cheek
And through the tears he said "Mary dear, no castle will thee be.
Unless you're right here with me I won't build and I wont stay.
Hold my hand , dear Mary, or it's me they'll have to haul away, haul away, haul away, Hod y hand dear Mary or it's me they'll haul away
Mary's lips grew silent. She just smiled and closed her eyes
She drifted away, so the nurses say, til she heard the baby's cries
She said "Jack I head the trumpets come to call on me this day
but it's here I'll stay they'll have to wait for my soul to come and
haul away, haul away, haul away
it's here I'll stay they'll have to wait for my soul to
haul away
Swing that pick, Jack. Rise it to the stars
Pray they always smile on us and find us where we are
Now young Willie 'Brien he bides his time underneath the morning sun
And with all he knows of the town below, well there's plenty to be done
He kisses his darling mother and he hears his father say
"Willie don't work the men too hard- you know there's always more to
haul away, haul away, haul away
Willie don't work the men too hard- you know there's more to
haul away,
credits
from Onward,
track released September 22, 2022
Patsy O'Brien
Vocals
Guitars
Percussion
David Tousley
bass
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