Am                             Dm
It was out to California young Davey Moore was bound,
   G                             C              E7
To meet with Sugar Ramos for the holding of the crown
   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
Oh is it worth the bloodshed and is it worth the pain?"
    Am                             Dm
But Davey could not hear above the cheering of the 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,
        Am               G
Another man will fall before we pass the year
        Am                          G
For the fighter must destroy as the poet 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 men who owned young Davey Moore where 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 and hate drives men insane.

[Chorus]

         Am                              G
Hang his gloves upon the wall, shine his trophies bright clear,
        Am               G
Another man will fall before we pass the year
         Am                              G
For the fighter must destroy as the poet 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,
        Am               G
Another man will fall before we pass the year
         Am                              G
For the fighter must destroy as the poet must sing,
        Dm                              E7
As the hungry crowd must gather for the blood upon the ring.