American Old Time Song Lyrics: 24 Sullivan And Kilrain Fight

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 24

SULLIVAN AND KILRAIN FIGHT.
Composed by Sam. Smith.
Tune- "Donnelly and Cooper."

Come all you true-bred sporting men, attend to what I'm going to sing,
It's of the deeds of two brave men, two champions of the ring;
Who met and fought for the championship, each tried victory to gain.
Their names, I'm sure, you all have heard, are Sullivan and Kilrain.

'Twas in the town of Richburg, near the city of New Orleans,
On the eighth day of July, 'eighty-nine, they with their friends did teem;
And having staked the battle ground and named the referee,
They quickly stepped into the ring and shook hands cordially.
When time was called for the first round both men came up in style,
Kilrain's face had a careworn look, while Sullivan's wore a smile;
The betting was two to one that Kilrain would win the fight,
Sullivan's backers were not afraid and did not fail to bite.
Sullivan had his own way all through the fight.
To see him hammer Kilrain was a perfect sight;
He knocked him right and left, and sent him clean over the ropes,
Kilrain's backers got excited, they thought that he would croke.
Kilrain saw it was all one way and tried to make it a draw,
Sullivan said: "oh, no, we'll fight, for I've been there before;"
Then Kilrain's trainer tried to get the sheriff to stop the fight.
But he had $250 in his inside pocket And kept well out of eight.

Kilrain may no longer boast of the championship.
For the strong boy from Boston he could not whip;
They fought seventy-five rounds, then Kilrain saw it was in vain.
So ended the great battle between Sullivan and Kilrain.