From the red dust north of Dalmore Downs
Sharman's tents roll into town
Twelve will face the auctioneer
Sharman's Boxers stand their ground
Their days are darker than your nights
But they won't be the first to fall
Children broken from their dreams
But they won't be the first to fall

Fighting in the spotlight
Eye's turn blacker than their skin
For Jimmy Sharman's boxers
It's no better if you win
Standing in the darkness
Lined up waiting for the bell
The days are wasted drinking
At the first and last hotel

Why are we fighting for this?
Why are you paying for this?
You pay to see me fall like shrapnel
To the floor
What is the reason for this?
There is a reason for this?
What is the reason they keep coming back for more?

The blows now bring him to his knees
But still the crowd calls out for more
The drums are burning in his ears
The man keeps counting out the score


Lyrics submitted by Golgotha

Jimmy Sharman's Boxers Lyrics as written by Martin Rotsey James Moginie

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Jimmy Sharman's Boxers song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    Sharman's story was more of a case where the road to hell was paved with good intentions. There really is no factual evidence to indicate that Sharman shamelessly exploited his aboriginal boxers. According to one account he did this "to get them out of the cycle of poverty they were in." The group toured all over Australia in the early part of the last century. The mainly white crowds, however, wanted to see the aborigines lose.

    quampon November 10, 2015   Link

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