In “Defend the Castle!,” Professor Gideon Kanner referenced a British vaudeville song by the Clancy Brothers, “They’re Moving Father’s Grave to Build a Sewer.” He wrote:
And speaking of entertaining stuff that’s related to eminent domain —and Lord knows there is precious little of that — there is also awonderful old British vaudeville song entitled “They’re movin’ father’sgrave to build a sewer.” It was recorded by the Clancy Brothers andshould be available on one of their CDs. It too is great fun.
I had not heard of the Clancy Brothers or the song before, but sure enough, their “Greatest Hits” album is available from Amazon (with free samples), and I downloaded one version of the song from Napster.
They’re moving father’s grave to build a sewer,
They’re moving him regardless of expense.
They dug up his remains,
To put in five-inch drains,
To irrigate some posh bloke’s residence.
Now what’s the use of having a religion,
If when you’d dead your troubles never cease.
If some posh city chap,
Wants a pipeline to his privy,
They’ll never let a British workman rest in peace.
Now in his lifetime father never was a quitter,
I’m sure that he won’t be a quitter now.
For when the job’s complete,
He’ll haunt that privy sweet,
And he’ll only let them go when he’ll allow.
Now won’t there be some bloomin’ consternation,
And won’t these city chappies rant and rave,
Which is more than they deserve,
For having the bleedin’ nerve,
To muck around with a British workman’s grave.