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 poisons 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
look away from the turnstiles
and point that right cross straight into the light

WORDS AND MUSIC BY COLIN LINDEN-SOCAN-1997

Artist's Note

Mr. George Chuvalo is someone who I admire for his courage and spirit. He was the Canadian Heavyweight Boxing Champion for many years. He's lost three children and a wife due to drugs and suicides, and still he fights to make the world better. No one ever knocked him down in the ring (including Muhammed Ali or Joe Frazier), and I hope no one ever does in life, either.