Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE TUNNEL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Didn't know flynn
Last Line: Say that you've been 'yar.
Alternate Author Name(s): Harte, Bret
Variant Title(s): Flynn Of Virginia
Subject(s): Courage; Valor; Bravery


DIDn't know Flynn, --
Flynn of Virginia, --
Long as he's been 'yar?
Look'ee here, stranger,
Whar hev you been?

Here in this tunnel
He was my pardner,
That same Tom Flynn, --
Working together,
In wind and weather,
Day out and in.

Didn't know Flynn!
Well, that is queer;
Why, it's a sin
To think of Tom Flynn, --
Tom with his cheer,
Tom without fear, --
Stranger, look 'yar!

Thar in the drift,
Back to the wall,
He held the timbers
Ready to fall;
Then in the darkness
I heard him call:
"Run for your life, Jake!
Run for your wife's sake!
Don't wait for me."
And that was all
Heard in the din,
Heard of Tom Flynn, --
Flynn of Virginia.

That's all about
Flynn of Virginia.
That lets me out.
Here in the damp, --
Out of the sun, --
That 'ar derned lamp
Makes my eyes run.
Well, there, -- I'm done!

But, sir, when you'll
Hear the next fool
Asking of Flynn, --
Flynn of Virginia, --
Just you chip in,
Say you knew Flynn;
Say that you've been 'yar.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net