Don't Lean On the Ropes

"Don't Lean on the Ropes," track number 8 from ... UNDEFEATED: THE STORY OF ROCKY MARCIANO Rocky Marciano: The only undefeated heavyweight champion in boxing history (49-0) and his journey from working-class Brockton to boxing immortality. 01. Brockton Boy 02. Almost Wasn't 03. Suzie's Eyes 04. The Rock 05. Forty-Three to Nothing 06. Jersey Joe 07. The Brockton Blockbuster 08. Don't Lean on the Ropes 09. Ezzard's Respect 10. September '55 11. The Crash (August 31, 1969) 12. Still Undefeated ⁨‪‪@F.HarryStowe‬ Lyrics: Kid, come here, let me tell you something true I see you backing up, that’s what they want you to do The ropes ain’t your friend, they’re a trap, they’re a lie You lean back there, that’s where fighters die I learned it the hard way, took punches I shouldn’t take Every time I let ‘em push me, every mistake You want to last in this game? You want to survive? Keep your feet moving forward, that’s how you stay alive Don’t lean on the ropes, don’t give ‘em the angle Don’t lean on the ropes, you’ll get caught in the tangle Move forward, press forward, make them retreat Don’t lean on the ropes, stay on your feet Don’t lean on the ropes, that’s the lesson I teach Don’t lean on the ropes, keep the victory in reach Slip to the left Bob underneath Counter with the right Make ‘em feel the heat Conditioning is everything, stamina’s the key When they’re sucking wind in round eight, that’s when you’re free I wasn’t the prettiest, wasn’t the most skilled But I never stopped coming, I imposed my will Don’t lean on the ropes, don’t give ‘em the angle Don’t lean on the ropes, you’ll get caught in the tangle Move forward, press forward, make them retreat Don’t lean on the ropes, stay on your feet Don’t lean on the ropes, that’s the lesson I teach Don’t lean on the ropes, keep the victory in reach I’ve been down, I’ve been cut, I’ve been hurt Bled into my eyes, swallowed blood and dirt But I never quit, never let ‘em see me break Because champions are made by the punishment they take Not the punishment they avoid Not the pretty dancing around Champions are made when they’re destroyed And they get back up off the ground You got a wife? You got kids waiting home? Then you fight for them when you’re in there alone Every round is a test of who you really are Every punch you take reveals your star I fought for Suzie, fought for Mary Anne and Rocco Fought for Brockton, for my ma and pa Fought for every man who breaks his back for nothing That’s what separates the real from the fraud Don’t lean on the ropes, don’t give ‘em the angle Don’t lean on the ropes, you’ll get caught in the tangle Move forward, press forward, make them retreat Don’t lean on the ropes, stay on your feet Don’t lean on the ropes, that’s the lesson I teach Don’t lean on the ropes, keep the victory in reach Kid, you listening? "Yes sir, Champ" Good. Now get back to work. Don’t lean on the ropes Don’t lean on the ropes