Paddy Ryan 1938
Paddy Ryan was purportedly the stage name of a Dr. R.E.W. Fisher. In 1938 he was a medical student.
Chorus:
I am the man, the jovial man, that waters the workers’ beer (x2)
And what do I care if it makes them ill? For it makes their minds unclear
I’ve a car, a yacht, and an aeroplane, and I waters the workers’ beer
Now, when I waters the workers’ beer, I puts in strychinine
Some methylated spirits, and a can of kerosene
But since a brew so terribly strong would make them terribly queer
So I reaches my hand for the watering can and I waters the workers’ beer
Now, a drop of beer is good for a man who is thirsty and tired and hot
I sometimes have a glass myself from a very special pot
But a strong and healthy working class is the thing that I most fear
So I reaches my hand for the watering can and I waters the workers’ beer
Now, ladies fair, beyond compare, be you maiden or wife
Spare a thought for such a man who leads such a lonely life
For the water rates are frightfully high, and the meths is terribly dear
And there ain’t the profit there used to be in watering the workers’ beer
Now years roll on, and I find myself once again squarely on top
When workers try to shrug the yoke, I need not even call down the cops
But a war on my class feels ever more near and the blade feels close to my ear
So I reaches once more for the watering can and I waters the workers’ beer