When I was young and I was in my day
Sure I'd steal what woman's heart there was away
And I'd sing and dance into the morning
Sure I'd blaze away 'til the morning
Long before I was the man you see today.

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, by the bottle I shall fall

Chorus
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, is raving

When I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat
Wrap the Starry Plough around me
Let the pipers air resound me,
There I rest until the Lord of Love I meet

Chorus
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, is raving.