Men of New Basin Canal (Sheet Music, MP3) (Patreon)

Jamie Haesuer wrote these lyrics while driving across the Causeway in New Orleans. That was in part one of the places where the New Basin Canal existed. Over 30,000 Irishmen died digging the canal. She wrote two songs this and "Bridget's Prayer".

You can now download the Sheet Music and play along and sing along with this song. 

lyrics by Jamie Haeuser, music by Marc Gunn

Performed by Marc GunnFrom CD: How America Saved Irish Music

We came to find a bit of landLand our fathers never hadNo land we found but only deathFrom fever, the yellow jackThe yellow jack, one day you’re upThe next you’re in the graveA grave they call New Basin CanalFor us six miles of pain

Chorus:Heave ho, boyo, it’s dig and deathHeave ho, God help us all

O‘Hanlan was the first to fallThen down went Mike O’SheaThe boss called up and down the lineFor men to bear awayThe men who fell, hundreds a dayShakin’ like a Mayo galeToo few there were to dig the trenchToo few to bear away.

Why is it Erin’s sons are calledWhen slaves they cannot spareWhen earth and water must be movedTo make the rich man’s shareFrom lake to river to move the goodsThat make the rich men morewe fall, we fall time and againAnd none to hear our prayer

But we will rise, somehow, sometimeTo rule those who rule usWe’ll fight to o’ercome the lossso many of Ireland’s bestMany will die but most will liveWill live to make our markNew Orleans own of Ireland bornMen of New Basin Canal