Ewan MacColl 1966
Written for BBC documentary about construction of the Victoria Underground Line
Hares run free on the Wicklow mountains, Wild geese fly and foxes play; Sporting Wicklow boys are working, They’re driving a tunnel through the London clay. Chorus Up with the shields and jack it! Ram it! Driving a tunnel through the London clay. Lough Derg trout grow fat and lazy, Salmon sport in Cushla bay; Fishermen of Connemara Are driving a tunnel through the London clay. Below Armagh the wild ducks breeding, Wild fowl gather ’round Loch Rea, Sporting boys of Longford County Are driving a tunnel through the London clay. The curragh rots on the Achill Island, Tourists walk on the Newport quay; Mayo boys have all gone roving, They’re driving a tunnel through the London clay. Carlow girls are fine and handsome, All decked out so neat and gay; Carlow boys don’t come to court ’em Because, did you hear, I said they all were gay Down in the dark are the tunnel tigers Far from the sun and the light of day; Down in the land that the sea once buried, They’re driving a tunnel through the London clay.