Lyrics

[Verse 1] The hardest man I'd ever seen Was Billy Flynn of Bethnal Green He was born to be a champion Light on his feet with a solid jaw His right hook left you on the floor Billy held the ring to ransom An Irish family's only son Proud of the fighter he'd become But every night, he'd pray to Jesus "Lord, give me strength, enough to fight I swear to God I think I'd die If they ever knew my secret" [Pre-Chorus] But his daddy never knew him And mummy looked right through him, so [Chorus] What they don't know Is Billy Flynn's been dancing down in Soho You should've seen her Born a brawler But on Friday nights beneath the lights, they'd call her Lady Athena You should've seen her [Verse 2] Billy bound his broken bones And washed his nails in acetone Every Monday when he'd wake up For fifteen years, he lived a double life King of the ring, but on Friday night He hid his bruises under makeup [Pre-Chorus] And the boys say, "Bill, whenever We're down the pub, you never show" [Chorus] But what they don't know Is Billy Flynn's been dancing down in Soho You should've seen her Born a brawler But on Friday nights beneath the lights, they'd call her Lady Athena You should've seen her [Verse 3] The bravest thing I'd ever seen Was Billy Flynn down Bethnal Green In stilettos at the bus stop Ten long years had passed us by But there she stood with a swollen eye I said, "I thought you'd hung your gloves up" She said, "I was walking home alone last night Three geezers tried to start a fight They thought I'd run, they were mistaken They saw a damsel in distress Alas, a boxer in a dress Left them battered on the pavement" [Pre-Chorus] I said, "Some things will never change ya Bill, don't be a stranger, don't" [Chorus] 'Cause we all know That Billy Flynn's been dancing down in Soho You should've seen her Born a brawler But on Friday nights beneath the lights, they'd call her Lady Athena You should've seen her