In eighteen hundred and eighty one The American Railway was begun The American Railway was begun The Great American Railway Patsy - atsy - or - ee - ay Patsy - atsy - or - ee - ay Patsy - atsy - or - ee - ay The Great American Railway or: I was wearing corduroy breeches, digging ditches Swinging switches, dodging hitches I was working on the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty two I found myself with nothing to do... Just beside the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty three The overseer accepted me... To work upon the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty four My hands were tired and my feet were sore... From working on the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty five I found myself more dead than alive... From working on the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty six I trod on a bundle of dynamite sticks... Just beside the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty seven I found myself half way to heaven... Just above the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty eight I picked the lock of the Golden Gate... With a crowbar from the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty nine I found my wings and a harp divine... Overlooking the Railway In eighteen hundred and eighty ten If you want any more you can sing it again... All about the Railway