urban legend and american foldlore,

tells of a man who was one of a kind

a sure gent with a flair for fashion,

prone to violence at any time

a legendary hooligan

with a thirst for blood and a taste for booze

this brave and daring brutal soul,

he lived and fought by his own rules

shake

the hand that shook the world

shoe-shine boy to champion,

he'd fought and beaten many foes

his calling card was a kick to the groin,

and a broken bottle to the bridge of the nose

he aimed to kill when he took to the ring,

this boston strong boy loved to fight

on more than one occasion,

a bout was stopped to save an opponent's life

shake

the hand that shook the world

for blood

and whiskey with a bareknuckled fist