Lyrics The Contender - Christy Moore

Oh, when I was young, and I was in my day
I could steal what woman's heart there was away
I'd sing and dance until mornin' blaze away until the dawnin'
Long before I was the man you see today

I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could've 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 and by the bottle I shall fall

And there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fadin'
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador is ravin'

And when I die, I'll die a drunk down on the street
You can count me out to 10 in clear defeat
Oh, wrap the starry plow around me
And let the piper's air resound me
There I'll rest until the Lord of love I'll meet

And there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fadin'
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador is ravin'

Oh, wrap the starry plow around me
And let the piper's air resound me
There I'll rest until the Lord of love I'll meet