The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance

歌詞

Gideon: 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 fourteen-years-old and I'd never been kissed. Well, of course she'd ignore me, and her friends would all sneer At me bloody nose dripping and me cauliflower ear For it's hard to convince in a romantic pose With two lovely black eyes and a broken nose Where a girl is attracted to skills more refined Than the pugilist's art, and so I inclined To take meself serious as a modern romancer And I secretly learned all the moves of a dancer. So, ye swing to the left, and ye swing to the right Keep your eyes on your partner like you would in a fight Just keep to the rhythm and follow the beat The important thing's never to look at your feet Then a miracle happens, your mind's in a trance Though the strategy's subtle, retreat and advance It's all about attitude, all in your stance, Attention to detail, leaving nothing to chance, Which explains how the pugilist finally learned how to dance. And I'd waltz with a broomstick and if I was caught, I'd 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 Now everyone's watching, expecting I'll fail, But there's a fire in me belly, and there's a wind in me sails, I knew it was risky, I was taking a chance, But I couldn't retreat now, I had to advance. Gideon & Tom: So you swing to the left, and you swing to the right Keep your eyes on your partner, like you would in a fight Just keep to the rhythm, follow the beat The important thing's never to look at yer feet Then a miracle happens, your mind's in a trance, They're all laughing and cheering and looking askance Gideon: On the night that the pugilist Finally learned how to dance. In a bout where the strategist's bridges were burned Tom: Where it seemed that his fortune had suddenly turned Gideon: 'Twas the night that this scrapper was suddenly dapper Tom: This poor fellow's heart was still going like the clappers Gideon & Tom: The night that the pugilist finally learned how to dance