In doing some research about Peter Jackson, I have come across an article in the Maitland Mercury from 1892. A reader wrote in with a song they had written about their favourite boxer. It is a strange mix, being clearly supportive and well meaning, but also very casually racist at the same time, at least when judged by modern standards. A product of its time I suppose, but on "the right side of history" at least, being opposed to the colour line. I thought it might be worth reproducing it here for those who might be interested. I have censored certain words, these were not censored in the original article which can be found on Trove. Peter Jackson An admirer of "the Ebony Phenomenon" as the present pugilistic champion is wont to be called, has asked us to print the following song of joy: Dusky Pete Peter's skin may be against him, Blacker than a rainy night But the blokes that stood forninst him Learned too well they'd had a fight There's that murky gent from Boston He don't want no more o' Pete Then McAuliffe ran across him, Do him? Yes like thrashing wheat! Then before him Cardiff stands up Just to get it in the neck Smith had hardly put his hands up When he got a sudden check Smith, who carried Cockney money, By the hundred thousand pounds, Proved to Pete as sweet as honey Punched out in a brace of rounds! Fair and square he made his record, Always treated people right, Be his skin black, blue or chequered, Scratch him and you'll find him white. Dignified you'll find him standing, In the head set of the dance, No concessions he's demanding, Give the coloured gent a chance! "C**ns is C**ns", Well that's amusing Now admit that pugs is pugs Men who make their living bruisin' Got no right to put on lugs. When a black man isn't lacking' In the strength, the head, the heart, When he's got the proper backing, He should get a level start. Colour doesn't cut no figure, When it comes to make a fight. Then the game and clever n****r Is the equal of the white. Men who've got no social ratin' You will find eight times in nine, Are the first to do the pratin' First to draw the colour line. All admit that Pete's a fighter, Well, I claim, that settles it. If his skin was ten times lighter, 'Twouldn't change the case a bit. Straight-haired pugs may keen on sneerin' Jackson's coming just as hard, He is bound to get a hearin' Dusky Pete cannot be barred.
Interesting, though I wouldn’t call an 1892 song strange if it were, “casually racist” by modern standards.
