In The Tunnel

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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.

© Francis Bret Harte