Davey Moore - Phil Ochs

It was out to california young davey moore did go

To meet with sugar ramos and trade him blow for blow

He left his home in springfield, his wife and children five;

The spring was fast approaching, it was good to be alive

His wife, she begged and pleaded, «you have to leave this game

Is it worth the bloodshed and is it worth the pain?

«But davey could not hear above the cheering crowd

He was a champion, and champions are proud

Hang his gloves upon the wall, shine his trophies bright clear

Another man will fall before we dry our tears

For the fighters must destroy as the poets must sing

As the hungry crowd must gather for the blood upon the ring

And thousands gave a roar when davey moore walked in

Another man to beat, another purse to win

And all along the ringside, a sight beyond compare

The money-chasing vultures were waiting for their share

He stood there in his corner and he waited for the bell;

The signal of the struggle of two men facin' hell;

And when the bell was sounded, the blows began to rain

And blows will lead to hate -- hate drives men insane

The fists were flying fast and hard, the sweat was pouring down

And davey moore grew weaker with ev’ry passin' round

His legs began to wobble and his arms began to strain

He fell upon the canvas floor, a fog around his brain

At last the fight was over, young davey fought no more

He lost the final battle behind a doctor’s door

And back at the arena, the screaming crowd is gone

And death is waiting ringside, for the next fight to come on