Digital Tradition Mirror

Morrisey and the Russian Sailor

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Morrisey and the Russian Sailor

Come all ye gallant Irishmen wherever that you be,
I hope you'll take attention and listen unto me,
Till I sing about a battle, took place the other day,
Between a Russian sailor lad and gallant Morrisey.

'Twas in Terra del Fuego in South Amerikay,
Where the Russian challenged Morrisey, these words to him did say,
"I hear you are a fighting man and wear the belt I see,
Indeed I wish you'd give consent to have a round with me

Up speaks the gallant Morrisey with heart so brave and true
"I am a gallant Irishman was never yet subdue
For I can wear (beat?) the Yankee the Russian Bull or Bear
In honour of old Paddy's land and still the laurel I'II wear.

Oh, this enraged the Russian boy upon the Yankee land
To think that he should be brought down by any Irish man
Said he, "You are too light a frame and that without mistake
I'll have you to resign that belt or else your life I'll take."

To fight upon the tenth of March those heroes did agree,
And thousands came from every part the battle for to see.
The English and the Russians their hearts were filled with glee
For they thought the Russian sailor boy would kill brave Morrisey.

They stepped into the ring most gallant to be seen,
When Morrisey put on the belt along with the shamrock green,
Full fifty thousan' dollars as you may plainly see,
Which was to be the champion's prize whom win that victory.

They shook hands and walked around the ring, commencing then to fight;
It flled our Irish hearts with joy for to behold that sight
The Russian he led Morrisey up to the eleventh round,
With Yankee section cheers the valley did resound.

But Morrisey worked manfully in coming to the ground,
From tbat until the twentieth the Russian he put down;
Tbe Russian called his second to have a glass of wine,
The Irish hero smiled and said, "The battle will be mine.

The twenty-eighth decided all, the Russian felt the smart
When Morrisey with a dreadful blow struck the Russian on the heart
The doctor he was sent for tohelp him outof pain,
But he said it was quite useless, for he'd never fight again.

So let us fill a flowing glass and here's a health to all,
To noble John E. Morrisey and Paddies evermore.

note: As far as anyone knows, this fight never took place. RG
From Folk Ballads and Songs of the Lower Labrador Coast, Leach
DT #694
Laws H18
RG
oct96

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!