This song, commonly known as The Sick Note, is based on a story which occasionally with minor differences pops up in various media since the 1920's. The story gained its present shape in the 1950's while the song, initially entitled Paddy and the Barrel, was written in 1969 by Pat Cooksey. From the 1970's onwards this song is recorded by several artist using different titles. The audience in pubs often request the musicians to play this song, but these requests are rarely granted.

Although the succession of events is physically possible and despite the circulating purported official accident reports the story is considered an urban legend.

THE SICK NOTE / PADDY AND THE BARREL / WHY PADDY'S NOT AT WORK TODAY / THE BRICKLAYER'S SONG

Dear Sir, I write this note to you to tell you of me plight And at the time of writing I am not a pretty sight Me body is all black and blue, me face a deathly gray And I write this note to say why Paddy's not at work today

While working on the fourteenth floor some bricks I had to clear Now to throw them down from such a height it was not a good idea The foreman wasn't very pleased, he bein' an awkward sod He said I'd have to cart them down the ladders in me hod

Now clearing all these bricks by hand it was so very slow So I hoisted up a barrel and secured the rope below But in me haste to do the job I was too blind to see That a barrel full of building bricks was heavier than me

So when I untied the rope the barrel fell like lead And clinging tightly to the rope I started up instead Well, I shot up like a rocket 'til to my dismay I found That halfway up I met the bloody barrel coming down

Well, the barrel broke me shoulder as to the ground it sped And when I reached the top I banged the pulley with me head While I clung on tight all numb with shock from this almighty blow And the barrel spilled out half the bricks fourteen floors below

Now, when these bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor I then outweighed the barrel and so started down once more Still clinging tightly to the rope I sped towards the ground And I landed on the broken bricks that were all scattered round

Well, I laid there groaning on the ground I thought I'd passed the worst When the barrel hit the pulley wheel and then the bottom burst Well, a shower of bricks rained down on me, I hadn't got a hope As I lay there moaning on the ground, I let go the bloody rope

The barrel then being heavier it started down once more And landed right across me as I lay upon the floor Well it broke three ribs and my left arm and I can only say That I hope you'll understand why Paddy's not at work today

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Submitted on 08/09/2008

Submitted by: faith
Reference: http://www.triskelle.eu/lyrics/sicknote.php?index=080.010.060.060

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Thanks, Faith. I'm not quite sure what to do with this (as it's an obvious urban legend and this is where we moderate new submissions), but I will pass it on to Darwin. ***NOTE TO DARWIN & FELLOW MODS*** this is NOT a submission but apparently something for Darwin.

Candi said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Thanks, faith, but next time please use "story comments" or "misc." for this type of submission.

Bruce said:
Neutral: Urban Legend
This is referring to a well known urban legend, but as it's meant for Darwin then off to her it goes...

Tracy said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Darwin may want to do something with this....

Graham said:
Neutral: Urban Legend

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