singer-songwriter and actor. He has also performed and recorded with the English Folk-Rock act Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit.
Flynn released his debut album, A Larum, in 2008. This was followed by the Sweet William EP in 2009 and his second album Been Listening in 2010. 'Been Listening' includes the singles album Kentucky Pill, Barnacled Warship and The Water, which features a duet with Laura Marling.
Tunnels
Johnny Flynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew the words but they didn't sink in
Stayed out those tunnels that pull people down
There's more of those tunnels in your home town
Fell far from grace, so far I couldn't see
And oh underground, I was that far from the tree
We're all digging if you wanna know
Far too slow
We dug for money, we shoveled four tons
And the end wasn't funny, though we'd all had fun
Limping and broken, the tunnel fell in
I've been limping from tunnels since my original sin
Birthright's a trouble, my father dug too
He got where he was going at the age of 62
We're all digging if you wanna know
Fixing, digging, far too slow
Far too slow
A new pair of boots and a chisel in your name
Says we could be in the same hole attracting the same blame
If I knew the way to the ornamental tree
I would tell you, we'd be jailbirds, I'd be winking twice for free
Don't call on your brother, odds are he's here and all
Being gentle with the people who were knock-kneed from the fall
We're all digging if you wanna know
Fixing, digging, far too slow
Far too slow
We're all digging if you wanna know
Fixing, digging, far too slow
Far too slow
In Johnny Flynn's song "Tunnels," the singer delves into the idea of the dangers of succumbing to the darker parts of oneself. The opening lines, "I knew no vices and I knew no sins, I knew the words but they didn't sink in," hint at a person who may have once been innocent and lacked any sort of worldly experience. However, the next two lines warn against a temptation to dive into such experiences: "Stayed out those tunnels that pull people down, there's more of those tunnels in your home town." By referring to "tunnels," the lyrics suggest that there are paths or activities that could lead a person astray.
The song then shifts to the singer's personal experience, admitting that they themselves fell into one of those tunnels and "fell far from grace" as a result. The line "oh underground, I was that far from the tree" provides a play on words - "the tree" could refer to a family tree, meaning that the singer deviated so far from who they were supposed to be that they were no longer a part of it. Alternatively, "the tree" could refer to the tree of life, signifying that the singer feels as if they were not living a fulfilling existence whilst they were underground.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that all people are "digging" or trying to find their way in life, but they are doing so too slowly. The final lines of the song suggest that there is hope for someone struggling with their life's path, as the singer would offer advice if they knew it, indicating that all hope is not lost.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew no vices and I knew no sins
I was not aware of sins and wrongdoings
I knew the words but they didn't sink in
I was aware of the words but failed to grasp their true meaning
Stayed out those tunnels that pull people down
I avoided the traps and pitfalls that lead to failure and downfall
There's more of those tunnels in your home town
The same traps and pitfalls exist in your own hometown
Fell far from grace, so far I couldn't see
I failed so badly that I lost sight of the path of redemption
And oh underground, I was that far from the tree
I had strayed so far that I was disconnected from my family and roots
We're all digging if you wanna know
We are all in pursuit of something
Fixing, digging, far too slow
We are trying to improve, but it is a slow process
Far too slow
The pace of progress is too slow
We dug for money, we shoveled four tons
We worked hard for financial gain
And the end wasn't funny, though we'd all had fun
The outcome was not worth the effort we put in, despite having enjoyed the process
Limping and broken, the tunnel fell in
Our efforts resulted in failure and injury
I've been limping from tunnels since my original sin
I have been suffering from the consequences of my past mistakes
Birthright's a trouble, my father dug too
My family history and legacy has had its own share of troubles and failures
He got where he was going at the age of 62
My father succeeded only after a long and difficult journey
A new pair of boots and a chisel in your name
Starting anew with the right tools and mindset
Says we could be in the same hole attracting the same blame
We could both be facing the same problems and criticisms
If I knew the way to the ornamental tree
If I knew the path to personal fulfillment and success
I would tell you, we'd be jailbirds, I'd be winking twice for free
I would gladly share my knowledge and we would achieve success together with ease
Don't call on your brother, odds are he's here and all
As everyone faces their own problems, your brother may not be able to help
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN PATRICK VIVIAN FLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommaso UG
To all those brave people digging tunnels to stop the HS2, stay strong! In the end it wasn't funny but I hope you all had fun!
J J
I was mesmerized the 1st time I hard anything by him -- truly original. Thanks so much for sharing this.
on looker
Brilliant song.
Oz Undone
He's one of my favorites
Zach Burt
It's grown by 1,600 views since the previous comment six months ago so hopefully Johhny is getting the attention he deserves.
Closing Yak
22k views so far not enough
Lesley Yarwood
Detectorists brought me here!
deathcabpickups
how does this have 673 views? hahah people these days suck
Closing Yak
Quite right
supathechest
wes anderson sounding mf