Sir Robert McAlpine was, and is, a major construction concern in England, and a voracious consumer of cheap Irish labor. Dominic Behan (Brendan’s brother) captured the cruelty of the construction trade beautifully with this song.

I remember the day that the Bear O’Shea fell into a concrete stair,
What Horseface said, when he saw him dead, well it wasn’t what the rich call prayers.
“I’m a navvy short,” was his one retort that reached unto my ears,
When the going is rough, well you must be tough, with McAlpine’s Fusiliers.

The Digital Tradition has lyrics and music for the tune.

The lead vocal is by Ronnie Drew.

The first three Dubliners records (The Dubliners with Luke Kelly, Finnegan’s Wakes, and The Dubliners in Concert) are among the finest records I’ve heard. I’ve listened to them countless dozens of times, and they never wear out their welcome. I never cease to be astonished at the power of their music.