The Bricklayer’s Excuse- True story?

Fans of novelty music have all heard “The Bricklayer’s Song”, I have always thought of it as mere clever lyrics, so imagine my surprise when I found it almost verbatim, presented in a 1957 issue of the esteemed Everett, Washington Herald newspaper, and attributed to the Manchester, England Guardian newspaper.

I think this is an urban legend that predated even this old article. Supposedly this was from a bricklayer in Barbados to his contracting firm- but was unsigned. Who writes a letter requesting sick leave? By the time it gets there, you would already be fired. Especially since he didn’t sign it!