THE CONTENDER
When I was young and I was in my day
Sure I'd steal what woman's heart there was away
And I'd sing into the dawning
Saw a blaze into the morning
Long before I was the man you see today
I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could live my life between Cobh and Youghal
But the wheel of fortune took me
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle, by the bottle I should fall
There in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador raving
When I die, I'll die a drunk down on the street
He will count me out to ten in clear defeat
Wrap the Starry Plough around me
Let the Pipers air resound me
There I rest until the Lord of love I meet
There in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador
