Davey Moore chords by Phil Ochs

Davey Moore

Verse 1:

Am               Dm
It was out to California young Davey Moore did go,
  G             C         E7
To meet with Sugar Ramos and trade him blow for blow
  Am                Dm
He left his home in Springfield, his wife and children five;
  G                  C     E7
The spring was fast approaching, it was good to be alive.
  Am                 Dm
His wife, she begged and pleaded, "you have to leave this game.
G               C        E7
Is it worth the bloodshed and is it worth the pain? "
  Am               Dm
But Davey could not hear above the cheering crowd
     G       C       E7
He was a champion, and champions are proud.

Chorus:
     Am               G
Hang his gloves upon the wall, shine his trophies bright clear,
    Dm        E7
Another man will fall before we dry our tears
     Am               G
For the fighters must destroy as the poets must sing,
    Dm               E7
As the hungry crowd must gather for the blood upon the ring.

Verse 2:

  Am             Dm
And thousands gave a roar when Davey Moore walked in,
G               C    E7
Another man to fight, another purse to win
  Am            Dm
And all along the ringside, a sight beyond compare
  G              C         E7
The money-chasing vultures were waiting for their share,
  Am                Dm
He stood there in his corner and he waited for the bell;
  G             C       E7
The signal of the struggle of two men facin' hell;
  Am               Dm
And when the bell was sounded, the blows began to rain,
  G             C        E7
And blows will lead to hate -- hate drives men insane.

Chorus:

     Am               G
Hang his gloves upon the wall, shine his trophies bright clear,
    Dm        E7
Another man will fall before we dry our tears
     Am               G
For the fighters must destroy as the poets must sing,
    Dm               E7
As the hungry crowd must gather for the blood upon the ring.


Verse 3:

Am                    Dm
The fists were flying fast and hard, the sweat was pouring down,
  G                C      E7
And Davey Moore grew weaker with ev'ry passin' round.
  Am              Dm
His legs began to wobble and his arms began to strain,
  G               C       E7
He fell upon the canvas floor, a fog around his brain.
Am                Dm
At last the fight was over, young Davey fought no more,
  G             C       E7
He lost the final battle behind a doctor's door.
  Am           Dm
And back at the arena, the screaming crowd is gone,
  G                 C         E7
And death is waiting ringside, for the next fight to come on.

Chorus:

     Am               G
Hang his gloves upon the wall, shine his trophies bright clear,
    Dm        E7
Another man will fall before we dry our tears
     Am               G
For the fighters must destroy as the poets must sing,
    Dm               E7
As the hungry crowd must gather for the blood upon the ring.