The Contender chords by Jimmy Maccarthy

• Capo on 4th
• Difficulty: Beginner

Verse:
 G                 C
When I was young, and I was in my day
 Am7                       D
I could have stole what woman's heart there was away
 G
I'd sing and dance into the morning
 C
I'd blaze a way until the dawnin'
 C          D       G
Long before I was the man you see today

Verse:
G                       C
And I was born beneath the star that promised all
Am7                          D
I could have lived my life between Cork Cobh and Youghal
G

But the wheel of fortune took me
C
And from the highest point it shook me
C             D        G
By the bottle live by the bottle I shall fall

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

Verse:
G                       C
And when I die I'll die a drunk down in the street
Am7                  D
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat
G
Rap the starry plough around me
C
Let the pipers air resound me
C             D         G
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet

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

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