the contender.

i remember that day like it was the back of my hand
but i keep the memories safe in the back of my mind
we were witnessing the shoots of spring, when she closed her eyes
when she decided to say goodbye for the last time

we were drinking in an old run down saloon
she said "a woman must do what she must do,
and i must admit, when you swing your fists,
i can see a murderous rage rise up in you."

they all call me the contender
they say one day i may take the belt
you can beat me black and blue
leave me scarred and bruised
they say i can take care of myself

the day of the fight her phone must've been off the hook
i called so many times they took my per diem off the books
as they laced up my gloves, i was sweating so much
even coach had to have known that i was shook

my name blew up in lights as i was announced
i made my way through the thunderous crowd
none of them could tell what i knew too well
i might not be able to help letting them down

they all call me the contender
they say one day i may take the belt
you can beat me black and blue
leave me scarred and bruised
they say i can take care of myself

he did hit me clean and hard, i'll give him that, and
everyone knows i could've laid that bastard flat on his back
but as my head hit the mat, all my swelling eyes could see
was the shape of her dress in the place of her favorite seat

moments before, our eyes had finally decided to meet
and i was reminded of how much it hurts that bird to see me swing
so i took one deep breath, held it firmly in my chest
swallowed my pride and braced for what happened next

they all call me the contender
they say one day I may take the belt
you can beat me black and blue
leave me scarred and bruised
they say I can take care of myself