George Chuvalo
written and performed by Colin Linden 
from the album 'Raised By Wolves'


The Gardens filled up early and the blood ran in the eyes
of every woman, man, and child there to see the sacrifice
Heaven help the man who had to stare into those hands
George Chuvalo could fill the ring like no one can

Oh George, have mercy on his soul
He's too tired to fight tonight
Every scar a pain you can't let go
Look away from the turnstiles
and point that right cross straight into the light

No one ever knocked him down even when he lost
still the toughest man in town like Job, his family paid the cost
The needle cuts the bone and poison seeds that you have sown
and turns your children into ghosts trying to find their way home

Oh George, have mercy on his soul...

and the ten-count comes so soon and the stars fill up the room
and you drift into the rafters like a lost balloon
Say a prayer for the iron man who lost more than he'll ever win
Where angels fear to tread he climbs again and again
Gladiators cry alone in a prison cell or a lonely phone booth
in a world where one punch could turn your life to stone

Oh lord have mercy on their souls
they're too tired to fight tonight
every scar a tear you can't console
lookaway from the turnstiles
and point that right cross straight into the light