Boys Town Poem by Marilyn Lott

Father Flannigan is responsible
For a special home for poor men
He had a heart of gold, you see
And that’s how it all began

Educated in Rome and Ireland
Then finished in Australia schools
Oh yes, he had an remarkable education
And was definitely nobody’s fool

But his objective was to help homeless boys
And troubled boys he took under his wing
So he started a home in Omaha, Nebraska
And his life-work was then in full swing

Many boys were sent by court orders
And many came from right off the streets
Help was there for these youngsters
So offenders didn’t become repeats

It was called Overlook Farm
In the year of ‘21
He treated these boys like a real father
And they felt like they were his son

What a hero this man is, don’t you think?
What a wonderful direction he found
When Father Flannigan created
A place that was named Boys Town!