Under the glare of cameras and arclights
We observe
The Samnites and the press of humanity
Faces focused
And locked in bloody rictus
The heat and force wrings out their sweat
Passing through the sinew, blood and gristle
Spittle flecks and respect are beaten out
In that speckled gossamer mist with a crimson tinge
Pieces of teeth, and fractured dentine spread about the mat
A back set against the bars of the cage
A mind set on survival
A Haymaker follows on from a Glasgow Kiss
Then a spine under applied pressure, bending
Beat into submission.
He will twist you until you snap
Better death or glory
And when we dance with the dragon in the octagon:
Overcoming
Is the only thing
Kill your foe
Samnites circling again
Slowly drawing in
Oblivious to the eyes looking on
Interfering and offering suggestions
Ringside dogs barking in fury
Each caught up in the lust
Ravenous
We bay for blood
Bay for blood
Who wants it most?
We paid well for the promise of bloodshed
Placed our bets
Prepared for the adrenaline rush
And the crushed skulls
And won’t leave until we’ve seen a contender
Split the back of the title defender
Hubris is eventually broken by the bodyblow.
And you can cut the tension with a knife
So win or be crippled, double slow
A reminder, doubled over, old
And finally humble
Kill your foe
Under the eyes of the audience
And the devil you know
We need bread and circuses
A little bit more
Of the Art Of War
More Samnites with the hunger
And the ringside swagger
Pain and madness
Have always made
For the ultimate show
Either leave this world
Or kill your foe