This week on Three Tune Tuesday, we’re rolling up our sleeves and diving into songs of sweat, steel, and solidarity. From the pounding drills of Irish railroad workers, to the rousing toasts of weary students, to the thunderous celebration at the forge, these tunes remind us that hard work is a universal rhythm. Whether it’s toil for wages or the shared struggles of daily life, today’s set spans borders and centuries—but every song rings with the sounds of labor and perseverance.
Lyrics
Drill, ye Tarriers, Drill
[Verse 1]
Early in the mornin’ at seven o’clock
There are twenty tarriers a-drillin’ at the rock
And the boss comes around and he says, “Keep still
Come down heavy on your cast iron drill
And drill, ye tarriers, drill”
[Chorus]
Drill, ye tarriers, drill
Well, you work all day for the sugar in your tay
Down behind the railway
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
And blast, and fire
[Verse 2]
Now, our new foreman was Jim McGann
By golly, he was a blinkin’ man
Last week a premature blast went off
And a mile in the sky went big Jim Goff
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
[Chorus]
Drill, ye tarriers, drill
Well you work all day for the sugar in your tay
Down behind the railway
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
And blast, and fire
[Verse 3]
Now, when next payday come around
Jim Goff a dollar short was found
When asked the reason came this reply
“You were docked for the time you were up in the sky”
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
[Chorus]
Drill, ye tarriers, drill
Well, you work all day for the sugar in your tay
Down behind the railway
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
And blast, and fire
[Verse 4]
Now, the boss was a fine man down to the ground
And he married a lady six feet ’round
She baked good bread, and she baked it well
But she baked it as hard as the holes in …
Well, drill, ye tarriers, drill
[Chorus]
Drill, ye tarriers, drill
Well, you work all day for the sugar in your tay
Down behind the railway
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
And blast, and fire
[Outro]
And drill, ye tarriers, drill
Gaudeamus Igitur
(Therefore, Let Us Rejoice.)
So, let us rejoice
While we are young.
After a pleasant youth
After a troublesome old age
The earth will have us.
Where are they who, before us,
Were in the world?
Go to the heavens
Cross over into hell
Where they went through already.
Our life is brief
Soon it will end.
Death comes quickly
Snatches us cruelly
Nobody shall it be spared.
Long live the academy!
Long live the professors!
Long live each student;
Long live the whole fraternity;
For ever may they flourish!
Long live all virgins,
Easy, beautiful!
Long live women too,
Tender, lovable,
Good hard-working.
Long live the state as well
And he who rules it!
Long live our city,
The charity of benefactors
Which protects us here!
May sadness perish!
May haters perish!
May the devil perish!
Whoever opposes the fraternities
And their mockers, too!
Anvil Chorus
English
See how the clouds melt away from the face of the sky when the sun shines, its brightness beaming; just as a widow, discarding her black robes, shows all her beauty in brilliance gleaming.
So, to work now! Lift up your hammers!
Who turns the Gypsy’s day from gloom to brightest sunshine? His lovely Gypsy maid!
Men: Fill up the goblets! New strength and courage flow from lusty wine to soul and body.
All: See how the rays of the sun play and sparkle and give to our wine gay new splendor. So, to work now!
Who turns the Gypsy’s day from gloom to brightest sunshine? His lovely Gypsy maid!
Italian
Zingari e zingare: Vedi! Le fosche notturne spoglie De’ cieli sveste l’immensa volta; Sembra una vedova che alfin si toglie i bruni panni ond’era involta.
All’opra! all’opra! Dàgli, martella.
Chi del gitano i giorni abbella? La zingarella!
Uomini: Versami un tratto; lena e coraggio Il corpo e l’anima traggon dal bere.
Tutti: Oh guarda, guarda! del sole un raggio Brilla più vivido nel mio [tuo] bicchiere! All’opra, all’opra!
Chi del gitano i giorni abbella? La zingarella!