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The Contender Tab

by Christy Moore


A fantastic song about the great Jack Doyle. Brings a tear to my eye.
Dedicated to a close friend and a fellow Republican, Anthony Blair. 
Anthony first introduced me to this song on the bus back 
from a celtic match. 
A memorable singsong. 
Enjoy a chairde!

Tunning: Standard
No Capo
(It's nicer picked)

                                  
When I was  young, and I was in my day     
                                                 
I could have stole what woman's heart there was away 
   
I'd sing and dance into the morning 
   
I'd blaze a way until the dawnin' 
                                    
Long before I was the man you see today 

And I was born beneath the star that promised all 
I could have lived my life between Cork Cobh and Youghal 
But the wheel of fortune took me 
And from the highest point it shook me 
By the bottle live by the bottle I shall fall 

Chorus: 
                               
But there in the mirror on the wall 
                    
I see the dream is fading     
                          
From the contender to the brawl 
                                      
The ring, the rose, the matador is  raving 

And when I die I'll die a drunk down in the street 
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat 
Rap the starry plough around me 
Let the pipers air resound me 
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet 

But there in the mirror on the wall 
I see the dream is fading 
From the contender to the brawl 
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving 

   
Rap the starry plough around me 
   
Let the pipers air resound me 
                                          
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet