The Ballad of Rinty Monaghan

Born in Belfast 's sailortown, John Joseph was his name,

Better known as Rinty Monaghan, and boxing was his game

He took the world flyweight crown from Jackie Paterson,

At the kings hall in his hometown Irish eyes were smiling

It was in the bosco fighting club where he learned his steely trade,

Put up your fists young Monaghan and never be afraid

He sparred with Johnny Bashem and bomber Billy Brown,

They fought for pennies in the Chapel fields until the night came down

Chorus

Rinty Monaghan Belfast son, where the people in the cafes yelled

Come on give us a song, Rinty Monaghan Belfast son,

where the people in the cafes yelled

Come on give us a song

Took a ferry bound for England where he joined a fighting booth

Trading punches with Freddie Mills, in a fight he didn't loose

He sang I'm always chasing rainbows at a bout in Haringay

Then turned to Terry Allen says I'll return again some day

He challenged Maurice Sanderyon to fight him for his crown

But the Frenchman knocked him in the third and laid him to the ground

The referee had counted nine before the tin tin rose

Then he danced his way from danger before he struck the winning blow

Repeat chorus

It was in the 1950s when he hung up his gloves,

Retired a world champion but singing was his love

With his band the rintonians he went out on the road

The working man's Sinatra in his own home town

He died in 1984 a contender to the end,

The fighting man from sailortown, always the people's friend,

They lined Corporation street with flowers and eulogies,

To the hero and the legend Rinty Monaghan

Repeat chorus

© Padraig Lalor August 2005