In the streets around here there was nobody tougher than me,
I was quick with me fists and fast with me footwork as you can plainly see,
But while fighting was useful for getting your way,
Among the toughs of the town where you could hold sway,
There had to be something that was better than this,
I was fifteen years old and Id never been kissed.
Well of course shed ignore me, her friends would all sneer,
At me bloody nose dripping and me cauliflower ear,
For its hard to convince in a romantic pose,
With a lovely black eye and a broken nose,
Where a girl is attracted to skills more refined,
Than the pugilists art, and so I inclined,
To take meself serious as a modern romancer,
And I secretly learnt all the moves of a dancer.
Ye swing to the left, ye swing to the right,
Keep your eyes on your partner, more or less like a fight,
Ye just follow the rhythm, and ye keep to the beat,
The important things never to look at your feet,
Then a miracle happens, your minds in a trance,
Though the strategys subtle, retreat and advance,
Its all about attitude, all in your stance,
Attention to detail, leaving nothing to chance,
Which explains how the pugilist finally learned how to dance.
Well, Id waltz with a broomstick and if I was caught,
Id pretend I was sweeping or practicing sport,
But I really had eyes for your mother ye see,
Wanting her to acknowledge this new version of me,
But now everyones watching, expecting Ill fail,
But theres fire in me belly, theres wind in me sails,
I knew it was risky and I was taking a chance,
I couldnt retreat now, I had to advance.
So I swing to the left, I swing to the right,
Keep me eyes on me partner, like I would in a fight,
I just keep to the rhythm and follow the beat,
The important things never to look at yr feet,
But a miracles happened, and your minds in a trance,
Theyre all laughing and cheering and looking askance,
On the night that the pugilist finally learned how to dance.
Its a three-minute round and youre back in yr corner,
Youre licking yr wounds just like little Jack Horner,
Dont let your guard down try a jab with your right,
Or youre losing on points by the end of the night,
Then a miracle happens, and everyones screaming,
Youre pinching yourself just in case youre still dreaming,
Youve taken the initiative, youve taken your chance,
Its the night when this pugilist finally learned how to dance.
In a bout where the strategists bridges were burned,
Where it seemed that his fortune had suddenly turned,
Twas the night that this scrapper was suddenly dapper,
And this poor fellows heart was still going like the clappers,
The night that the pugilist finally learned how to dance.