Uploaded by machree01 on May 21, 2008
Jack Doyle known as "The Gorgeous Gael" was born august 31, 1913 in Cobh, Co. Cork in Ireland.
He was at one time a contender for the British Boxing Championship,
he was a Hollywood actor and an accomplished tenor.
His division was heavyweight,
stance orthodox,
height 6'5,"
reach 31",
won 17 (KO 16) + lost 6 (KO 4) + drawn 0 = 23
He died in 1978 at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington and was buried in his native Cobh.
The Contender was written by Jimmy McCarthy around 1983,
And performed by Tommy Fleming.
The Contender
by Jimmy McCarthy
When I was young and I was in my day
I could steal what woman's heart there was away
Sing and dance into the dawning
Blaze a trail until the morning
Long before I was the man you see today
And I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could have lived my life between Cork, Cobh and Youghal
But the wheel of fortune took me
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle live by the bottle i shall fall
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat
Rap the Starry Plough around me
Let the piper's air resound me
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
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A beautiful song raped by a prick who changed the lyrics.
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Still love you Tommy...you are a fantastic person and the best singer I know. BUT how about visiting Birmingham UK My cousin Theresa is always asking why you don't go there.
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My Cousin Told Meh He Is Our Fourth Cousin And I Done Research On My Family Tree And He Is (Jack Doyle)
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Deep...Beautiful words and thoughts ...:)
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@naasrddad Listen here dude you clearly dont know music its called a cover some people change them slightly to suit their singing voice. The only Shit bag is you for making sick commons like that you havn't a clue what your about. I'm in the music business a long time and its the likes of you that destroys good music.
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@naasrddad This song was written by Jimmy Mc Carthy and Cassandra's call is the original lyric's you clown !!!
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I thought it was a woman singing!
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In fairness mate... Christy Moore sings "between Cork Cobh and Youghal".... but Jimmy McCarthy wrote this song... his version is on youtube... and he sings "Cassandra's call", which has a significant meaning regarding Jack Doyle's life if you Google "Cassandra: cursed prophetess". So if the man who wrote it sings it this way, Tommy Fleming didn't change the lyrics owl son.
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What a song. Evocative and wistful.Jimmy Mc Carthy is a bard with intelligence and insight.Beautiful.
I was at Tommy's concert last Saturday it was fantastic as always. A marvelous voice and getting better every time. Love Tommy and he is so nice always there for his public. Please no nasty comments about Tommy he is a wonderful person. Keep your dirty comments for yourself......naasrddad it is disgraceful the way you think.
RebelMaggie 11 months ago 4
This is my favourite version of the song, and as someone posted, Cobh people havent forgotten him. I'm Jack's nephew, and when I go to Cobh, people often talk about him to me.
Doyle1958 2 years ago 3