Seth Lakeman - Fitzsimmons' Fight Lyrics

On the 17th day in Nevada rain
The countdown of truth began
The stage was set, a heavyweight test
Both challengers hand to hand
The first bell, rang out
Both were set to knock each other down

Fitzsimmons cried out, I'll give you my best
And I'll choke before you win
The champion smiled, a Yankee giant, he stood a foot above his chin
One blow, he was thrown, head spinning from the thud against the floor

Now the sweat was pouring, hearts were pounding
As a stalemate quickly locked
They ducked and dived, jabbed and weaved
As the bell rang time to stop
One rest, one breath then back again to wear each other down

Such a brawling battle was a sobering sight, with the sound of 14 bells
and their ribs were kicked, eyes were split, as our hero hit hard as hell
each blow it was thrown, no mercy in the path of every swing

then breaking from the corner, you could see there was a winner
and the people they were screaming
As he knocked him to the ground, waited for the countdown

From left to right hook, deep in the centre
Well he broke with a deadening thud
And he moved away silent, swayed and stuttered
And he wiped away the streaks of blood
One fall, one roar then he's panting hard to stay their upright

Then cheering from the corner, you could see there was a winner
and the people they were screaming
As he knocked him to the ground
Waited for the countdown
Knocked on the ground

They fought like lions, stubborn in the ring, both men did fiercely stand
2 hours 6 minutes, all to the finish, in the might of a Cornish man
One win and he grins, raised his weary arms into the crowd

Then out of every corner, it was clear there was a winner
and the people they were screaming
As he listened to the sound
He had knocked the giant down