The Legend Of Tommy Jack Poem by Paul Henry Dallaire

I remember him even tho I was young and the stories went around in those days how he got ripped off by another prospector by the name of George (Jamie) Jamieson.
I wrote this song just to set the record straight. Tommy could'nt read or write and was a simple man. Some people say that this wasn't the case but according to my facts it did. That's'my story and I'm stickin to it.
Again I could't find a trace of him in the local Timmins cemetery and yet his face is advertized around town. (Shame on you Timmins)
There was a great picture of him at the Empire Hotel in Timmins but someone stole it and it never turned up again. It probably is hanging on someone's wall.
Since the last time, I spoke to someone who may have the picture.

The tune's chorus is 'Little Brown Jug'


The Legend Of Tommy Jack
(The missing painting)

In an old log shack roof tarred in black
Lived ol Tommy Jack with a packsack back
But he ain't comin back no he ain't comin back
And that's the legend of Ol Tom Jack

He searched for gold found copper instead
Sold his claims to Jamie t'is said
Price of copper d'gone up but he didn't know
But Jamie did and stole the whole damn showin

In Timmins town he's walk about
Brushin flies but there were none around
In the heat of summer he's dress real fine
In winter undies from the old mine site

Now some folks say they knew him well
While smokin his pipe stories he'd tell
The other day I saw him downtown
Buyin a tent for the old campground

Now at the Empire Hotel there hung a picture
Of he himself Tommy Jack great prospector
Moustache and all in unshaven grandeur
Could have been rich had he known better

Now on the wall where hung that picture
There's a faded outline there as a reminder
Now whoever stole that goldarn fixture
Will be sought in hell forever after

Paul Henry Dallaire
Paul Henry. Pub SOCAN