The Boys That Broke the Ground Songtext
von The McCalmans

If you′re a thinking man at all, it stands to reason
That the Clydesdale and the cart have had their day
Though they've served the country weel for many′s the season
The narrow boats did take their trade away

But to float a barge's keel
You need the muscle sweat and steel
Of a thousand navvies working on the line

And wi' our picks all on our shoulders
And our shovels by our side
We′re the boys that broke the ground
To join the Forth and Clyde

And there were Geordies at the sides of Donegal men
There were bothy lads from Breekin and Montrose
There were highlanders from Beaulieu and Bredalbean
Wha′d start the day with whiskey in their braws

But frae Dublin and Dundee
Every mother's son agreed
That the work would mak′ ye old before your time


And wi' our picks all on our shoulders
And our shovels by our side
We′re the boys that broke the ground
To join the Forth and Clyde

Well, we dug the cut frae Grangemouth up tae Boland
Frae the German Sea to the Carren Foundry door
Oh, the faster they could bring the ore and coal in
Then the faster they could make the cannon roar

But to watch the waters run
When the delvin' was all done
Was a sight I′d walk a hundred miles to see

And wi' our picks all on our shoulders
And our shovels by our side
We're the boys that broke the ground
To join the Forth and Clyde

So come all you thinking men whate′er your station
And if you marvel at the works o′ engineers
Drink a health unto the navvies o' the nation
And the way they′ve changed your fortune o'er the years

Jamaica rum and Baltic herrin′
And the shawl your lady's wearin′
They all cam' travelling doon our broad canal


And wi' our picks all on our shoulders
And our shovels by our side
We′re the boys that broke the ground
To join the Forth and Clyde

And wi′ our picks all on our shoulders
And our shovels by our side
We're the boys that broke the ground
To join the Forth and Clyde