The Contender was written by Jimmy MacCarthy about the 1930's Irish boxer, Jack Doyle who was also known as The Gorgeous Gael.
Jimmy has written many songs which have been recorded by a number of popular Irish Artists including Christy Moore, Celtic Thunder, Mary Black, and The Corrs.
Music: Key of G Major in 4/4 time at ~ 84 bpm (♩)
Chords: G, Am, C, D, Em, F
Suitable for beginners
The Contender
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
G C Em Am D G Am C D GIntro: 4/4 ‖ | - | | | | | - | ‖
G C Em
1. When I was young and I was in my day
Am C D
Sure I'd steal what wo-man's heart there was a-way
G
And I'd sing into the dawn-ing
Am
Saw a blaze into the morn-ing
C D G
Long be-fore I was the man you see to-day.
G C Em
2. I was born be-neath the star that pro-mised all
Am C D
I could have lived my life with-out Cas-san-dra's call
G
But the wheel of for-tune took me
Am
From the high-est point she shook me
C D G
By the bot-tle live by the bot-tle I shall fall
Em Am D GChorus: There in the mir-ror on the wall
G Am D
I see the dream is fad-ing
Em Am D G
From the con-ten-der to the brawl
F D
The ring, the rose, the mat-a-dor__rav-ing...
G C Em
3. And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
Am C D
He will count me out to ten in clear de-feat
G
Wrap the Star-ry Plough a-round me
Am
Let the pi-per's air re-sound me
C D G
There I'll rest un-til the Lord of Love I'll meet
Em Am D GChorus: There in the mir-ror on the wall
G Am D
I see the dream is fad-ing
Em Am D G
From the con-ten-der to the brawl
F D
The ring, the rose, the mat-a-dor__ rav-ing
Em Am D GChorus: There in the mir-ror on the wall
G Am D
I see the dream is fad-ing
Em Am D G
From the con-ten-der to the brawl
F D
The ring, the rose, the mat-a-dor__ rav-ing
Chorus: Instrumental (fade out)
