Another song about Coburn, from the Bodleian ballad collection, 2806 c.8(214):


THE FIGHTING MATCH BETWEEN JEM MACE & JOE COBURN

All you who delight the manly art of self defence to see,
The praises of a hero brave I mean to sing to thee.
He is a true bred Irishman though long he's been away,
And for to fight he has come o'er all from America.

My name it is Joe Coburn; I was reared in Middletown,
All in the county of Armagh of fame and high renown.
For to contend with Mace I came all from America.
I will die with honor on the sod or boldly(?) gain the day.

The word has been challenged when our hero heard the news.
Said he, "For to oblige you, sir, I never will refuse."
The challenge being accepted, he unto Mace did say,
"I'll fight you in old Ireland for one thousand pounds, hurrah!"

When I arrived in the ring the brigade begun to slander me,
And said I could not post the stakes but came in poverty.
But they were quite mistaken; I have dollars bright galore.
I mean to take their English gold unto Columbia's shore.

My age is nine and twenty, my weight's eleven stone.
I am five feet eleven ...[illegible]... every bone.
I never met a bully yet of fifteen stone or more
Was ever fit to conquer me all on Columbia's shore.

They thought I'd fight in England but they'll have no green in me.
Likewise on the battle ground I'll choose the referee.
See how they served John Heenan but I mean to get fair play.
I trust to prove a credit to my native country.

Mace, my friend, get ready and for you I will prepare.
I will fill the steps of Donnelly and Cooper on Kildare.
It was a champion like yourself that fought for England.
All his wings were clipt by Donnelly, a true bred Irishman.

When we meet on the Curragh plains it's then we will agree.
I will show you where bold Cooper fell that day by Donnelly.
He strove to win for England but alas that would not do,
For he found a soft spot in him and I might find one in you.

I never was a coward, no, nor one I ne'er will be.
In battle often it's well known I've gained a victory.
I will let them see an Armagh … his country won't disgrace.
They'll find I am no chicken when I toe the scratch with Mace.

With heavy bets on Mace I'm sure John Bull he will advance,
But I will teach him on Kildare to foot an Irish dance.
In him they were too confident and vainly they did boast.
Our Irish boys we'll drink their health; it will be to their cost.

Hibernia never reared a son that never would refuse
To fight an English champion no odds if he should lose,
And if I gain the victory each Irish heart will beat with joy.
[illegible] Coburn our county Armagh boy.