The Hardest Mile

    C                         F
I'm heading for a life in the land of the free
        C                       G
Sending every penny home to the family
C                         F
Off to find fortunes that can't be bought
    G
Now Paddy's struck down from a single shot

G
Paddy's struck down from a single shot!

F C F C F C G

They lured the men away they promised wealth and riches
A thousand miles from home lying 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)
C                      F
Fifty-seven men on the hardest mile
C                            G
Murdered for their troubles, left to die
C                        F
Immigrant sons from Donegal, Tyrone & Derry
      G
Their numbers were few but they did the job of many

F C F C F C G

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

F C F C F C G
F F C G x2

    F                          C      G
Now ghosts dance a jig on an unmarked grave
  F                         C               G
A slug full of lead was the price they were paid
F                  C             G
Vigilante justice, prejudice and pride
G
No one in this valley will be seen again alive

(Chorus)x2
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