Ewan MacColl 1966
Written for BBC documentary about construction of the Victoria Underground Line. Verse 5 edit probably by Chris Bracken
Ewan MacColl: https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/the-tunnel-tigers
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.