Music and lyrics by Richie Kavanagh
“Johnny, how long are ye on the council now?”
Well I’ve been on the council twenty year .
An’ I’ll never leave it don’t ye fear.
One time they tried ta get rid a me.
But I wouldn’t take me redundancy.
Chorus
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Well I started off as a shovel man.
Then they made me a ganger man.
I think the time is coming near.
When I become an overseer.
Chorus
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Well the ganger man, he’s not so bad.
He’s retiring soon and I’m so glad.
Because I think I’ll get his job.
And its worth an’ extra few aul bob.
Chorus
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
If it’s a cold auld day, ye have nothing ta fear.
‘Cos you’ll never see an engineer.
He’s in the office, all locked up.
Delving into a big hot cup.
Chorus
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
“Ah lad, is it time ta get the tae?”
“One more time, Johnny.”|
Chorus
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.
Oh keep the shovel tippin’.
Ye won’t feel the time a slippin’.
Come in time, go home in time.
And take your time all day.