A.L. Lloyd - Heenan And Sayers

This story of the glorious boxing fight between John Carmel Heenan and Tom Sayers was recorded in 1962 by A.L. Lloyd accompanied by Steve Benbow on guitar for the Topic EP Gamblers and Sporting Blades. It is about the 1860's 17th of April "world championship" boxing match, Heenan v Sayers, US v England, which caught attention from both sides of the Atlantic. The fight lasted for 42 rounds and over 2 hours. Lloyd commented in the original EP's sleeve notes:
«The fight between the heavyweight champion Tom Sayers and John C. Heenan, the Benicia Boy, took place on April 17, 1860, at Farnborough, Hampshire. In the 37th round, the friends of both fighters stormed into the ring and had to be dispersed by the police. After four more rounds, the police again intervened, the fight was stopped, and the result was declared a draw. Several ballads described the battle of the giants. As a rule, the American versions favour Heenan, while English versions declare that only police intervention robbed Sayers of a glorious victory. The present ballad, sounding fairly impartial, awards the golden glove, fair and square, to Heenan.»

Lyrics:
You rantin' lads and sportin' blades, come listen to me song,
I'm sure that it will please you well and it won't detain you long.
'Twas the 17th of April, and thousands waddled with joy,
to see the English champion and the bold Benicia Boy.

'Twas in the town of Farnborough all in the blooming spring,
when the burly English champion, he stripped off in the ring.
He stripped to fight young Heenan, that gallant son of Troy,
and to try his English muscle on the bold Benicia Boy.

'Twas early in the mornin' before the cock did crow,
like tigers into battle these gallant lads did go,
The blood it flowed in torrents, and never a blow they missed--
and they carried a bunch of thunderbolts well-fastened in each fist!

It's two to one on Sayers, the English cried with joy,
as they saw the English champion floor the Benicia Boy,
but the tiger rose within him and lightning flashed his eye--
saying, "Roar away old England, but Tommy, mind your eye!"

They fought for two hours and a half, each proved himself a man,
and neither would give in while he did licked his stand.
But the fight was all in favour of the Benicia Boy,
when the bobbies bolted in the ring and did his hopes destroy!

Tom Sayers said he soon would lick the bold Benicia Boy,
But Tom found out at Farnborough he'd have to mind his eye.
His friends they was all shaken when they saw the glorious battle,
for Heenan cooked Sayers baking and he made his daylights rattle.

They never were two better men and none could be more game,
they are both gallant heroes of honour and of fame,
Tom Sayers juggled cannon bolts where he was good and strong,
But Heenan played with lightning when his day's work was done.

[aaronclarke]

Tom Sayers is my great great great great great cousin. He is my grandmother's great great great Great uncle! I didn't know the info about Sayers common. Thanks for sharing guys!

[Gabriel]

Tom Sayers(TS) is an anomaly in the history of 'Boxing history'! Why has there not been a movie about his life?
Check out Highgate Cemetry and see his memorial . Perhaps, then and only then, one will need to know his life story!
A LEGEND, above and beyond!!!
RESPECT

[jamessayers]

Tom is my great great great grandfather.

[ChristineI]

Hello everyone! Tom is my great-great uncle on my Dad's Mum's side.

[taytetv]

Tom Sayers is my great great great great grandad

[denisesayers]

Tom sayers is not any relation my husband refuse to search his family tree to see if he is related. Bur my hubby did box as a pro