Ralph McTell - Another Star Ascending lyrics

(The Boxer) If I'd been born a street away, another star ascending I'd have been a fighter, a boxer in the ring And I salute the boxer if he lose or if he win Not the cigar-ash, splashed fat men Who sit around the ring. I want water in the bottle not brandy in the gla** Bruised and battered maybe but a fighter to the last So I salute the boxer if he lose or if he win Not the cigar-ash splashed fat men Who sit around the ring. And I have watched the fighters since I was just a kid From their struggle through the ghettos to their championship bids And it ain't just for the money that a guy gets cut and bruised Or to please the ringside fat men And to keep them all amused. Chorus No boxer started out rich and I hate when they complain They're calling it blood money they talk of damage to the brain But the poor do not want charity they only want their pride Better go down fighting than accept the back seat ride. Chorus I'm gonna miss Muhammed when he takes his final bow May he go out with his fist high and ignore the screaming crowd, Ignore the compliments of fat men who behind their cigars hid And keep the sense of pride he gave to every ghetto kid.