American Old Time Song Lyrics: 02 Toss The Turk
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 2
TOSS THE TURK
Copyright, 1877, by E. H. Harding.
Oh I one evening lately, I dress'd up nately,
I put on my Sunday clothes, plug-hat and all;
And I started proudly, while whistling loudly,
For Neal Brogan's raffle, at Hibernia Hall.
Going round a corner, a gang of rowdiesÂoh! I know they're rowdies, for they never work-
Says, " Let us give this old Tad a racket,
We will have a picnic, boys, and toss the Turk.
Chorus.
Now I'm not a fighter, nor yet a biter.
But when duty calls me I never shirk;
So I'll tell you plainly, tho' I look ungainly,
That they had no pic-nic when they toss'd the Turk.
Oh! the big ringleader, a free-lunch raider,
Says, " O'Brien, you had better paint the 'tile,'
Put crape around it, get an ax and pound it!"
And he thought 'twas funny when the gang did smile.
It was then my dander rose like a gander,
For I heard one loafer Say he'd flash a dirk;
So I tapp'd him lightly and surprised him quietly,
And they had no pic-nic when they toss'd the Turk.
Now I'm not a fighter, nor yet a biter, &c.
Oh! they gather'd round me, and thought to pound me,
But I put my back against a big brick wall;
"You can't go behind me," says I, "now mind me,
If you stand fornint me I can bate ye all."
Then the gang did face me and thought to lace me,
But I show'd them tricks I learn'd at Donegal;
Right and left I pounded, they were dumbfounded,
And at last for mercy they began to bawl.
Spoken-"Well, they looked surprised, and "Red-Handed
Mike" says, " Who are you?" " Well," says I, " my name is
Cornelius Thomas Francis Meagher O'Brien, and moreover:"
Now I'm not a fighter, nor yet a biter, &c.
