Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE EMPTY GUN by WILLIAM STEWARD GORDON

First Line: YOU MAY LOOP THE LOOP, AND LEAP THE GAP
Last Line: BUT YOU CAN'T GET BY THE EMPTY GUN.
Subject(s): GUNS;
You may loop the loop, and leap the gap,
You may bump the bumps, and trap the trap,
You may shoot the chutes, and scoot the scoot,
And dive the dive in a parachute;

You may run an auto through a train,
And skim the sea in an aeroplane,
You may mount a buffalo on the run,
And then get killed by an empty gun.

You may rob the rattler of his skin,
And pull the beard on a lion's chin,
You may wade through blood, and swallow fire,
And brave an Irish woman's ire;

You may crook the crooks at the 'Frisco fair,
And sell your gizzard to a millionaire
And live it through and think it's fun,
But you can't get by the empty gun.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net