American Old Time Song Lyrics: 05 Nobody Knows What A Racket Was There

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 5

Nobody knows what a Racket was There
Tune-" Nobody knows the trouble I see."

I am something of a man, I often make a bet,
I stand a chance of loosing, but I haven't done it yet.
I am something of a wrestler, I often take it in.
But when I tackle a thorough-bred, my chances are but slim.
A little bit of pleasantry occured the other night,
I went to see a wrestling match, it ended in a fight;
A Dutchman, a Scotchman, a Nigger, and a Mick,
And door Johnny Riley got slugged with a brick.

Chorus.
Nobody knows what a racket was there,
Nobody knows I do declare,
Nobody knows what a racket was there,
Nobody knows indeed but me.

Now he cause of all the trouble, I couldn't keep it mum,
Somebody called Johnny Mcintire a bum,
Johnny he got mad and struck out his hand,
And swore he could lick any cripple in the land.
Big John Monnahan, standing in the door,
Caught hold of Mclntire, and threw him on the floor,
Went for little Brady, and hit him such a smack,
That he busted his undershirt plum off his back.
Nobody knows what a racket was there, &c.

When Brady got up, he was a terrible looking sight.
He looked as if he slept with the hogs all night;
He looked at his undershirt, and dropped a big tear,
Then he flew for Monuahan, and tried to chew his ear;
He made one brace, and he landed at the bar,
Asked for a hummer, and they gave him a cigar,
He struck a match to light it, and what do you suppose?
It was filled up with powder, and it blew off his nose.
Nobody knows what a racket was there, &c.

They fought in the hallway, they fought in the room,
Their boxing gloves were big spittoons.
They couldn't see each other they hit so hard,
They set fire to the house, for to fight in the yard.
The police came down in a big platoon,
And quickly gathered up every fighting goosoon,
Six months in Moyamensing, sure we all had to stay,
For setting fire to the house on Saint Patrick's Day.
Nobody knows what a racket was there, &c.