The Hardest Mile

I'm heading for a life in the land of the free

Sending every penny home to the family

Off to find fortunes that can't be bought

Now Paddy's struck down from a single shot

Paddy's struck down from a single shot!

They lured the men away

They promised wealth and riches

A thousand miles from home

Laying 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]

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

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

Ohhh ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhhhh

Ohhh ohhhh ohhhhhh

Now ghosts dance a jig on an unmarked grave

A slug full of lead was the price they were paid

Vigilante justice, prejudice, and pride

No one in this valley

Will be seen again alive

[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

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