TO WIN JUST ONCE - THE SAW DOCTORS
"To win just once would be enough
For those who’ve lost in life and love
For those who’ve lost their guile and nerve
Their innocence, their drive and verve
For those who feel they’ve been mis-treated
Discriminated, robbed or cheated
To claim one victory inspired
To win just once is their desire"
Copyright: L.Moran/Davy Carton
These words come from a song you just have to listen to. Not since John Lennon's "Imagine" has this author found a song with such powerfully emotive lyrics as this one. The Saw Doctors sing a song of celebration: celebration that people sometimes are happy enough to succeed at what they do on only one occasion – no need for trophies or prizes or accolades. Just a PERSONAL achievement can be victory enough. The song also celebrates triumph against adversity. It was written about a young man who was not prepared to let others tell him that things were not possible, just because of his upbringing. No, he was prepared TO WIN JUST ONCE.
In a 1955 film called Wee Geordie a wee lad from Scotland becomes an Olympic hammer thrower and the film appears to be a ridiculous fantasy. However, the story behind TO WIN JUST ONCE is every bit as improbable, but it happens to be true.
Francis Barrett was a young boxer, who rose through the amateur ranks in a very short time to utlimately represent Ireland at the Olympics in Atlanta. He carried the flag for Ireland in the opening ceremony, an amazing achievement for somebody who grew up as a member of the Traveller community. In previous days he might have been called a Gypsy. A person who moves here and there, with no real, fixed address.
In Southpaw, the film made about his life, Barrett explains that the name describes a boxer who leads with the right hand and punches with the left, who gets in under an opponent's guard and makes matters awkward. On another level, Travellers do something of the sort. Local people regard them as an irritant, a drain on taxpayers' money. They are treated as malingerers and under-achievers, and encounter discrimination on a day-to-day basis. This is what makes Barrett's success all the more unlikely.
Just by being in the public eye, he counters long-held prejudices about Travellers. However, his story is not quite as gilt-edged as it may at first seem. Relatively early in the film Barrett wins his first fight at the Atlanta Olympics, but is well beaten in his second. Back in Galway, a huge crowd of his friends and relatives look on in dismay.
His was sporting fairytale. Barrett, clean-cut and enthusiastic, was immediately likable. Just by being in the public eye, he countered long-held prejudices about the travellers. Relatively early in the film Barrett wins his first fight at the Atlanta Olympics, but is comprehensively beaten in his second. Back in Galway, a huge crowd of his friends and relatives look on in dismay. But, he “Won Just Once” and that achievement was enough for him.
It was reported in the Irish Times in August 1998 that he was stabbed in Galway because he refused to take part in bare-knuckle street fighting. Francis was not prepared to compromise on his beliefs.
He was a courageous fighter who changed people's attitudes towards his community.
It's an anthem for the the common man, it's a song for us all.
For those who’ve lost in life and love
For those who’ve lost their guile and nerve
Their innocence, their drive and verve
For those who feel they’ve been mis-treated
Discriminated, robbed or cheated
To claim one victory inspired
To win just once is their desire"
Copyright: L.Moran/Davy Carton
These words come from a song you just have to listen to. Not since John Lennon's "Imagine" has this author found a song with such powerfully emotive lyrics as this one. The Saw Doctors sing a song of celebration: celebration that people sometimes are happy enough to succeed at what they do on only one occasion – no need for trophies or prizes or accolades. Just a PERSONAL achievement can be victory enough. The song also celebrates triumph against adversity. It was written about a young man who was not prepared to let others tell him that things were not possible, just because of his upbringing. No, he was prepared TO WIN JUST ONCE.
In a 1955 film called Wee Geordie a wee lad from Scotland becomes an Olympic hammer thrower and the film appears to be a ridiculous fantasy. However, the story behind TO WIN JUST ONCE is every bit as improbable, but it happens to be true.
Francis Barrett was a young boxer, who rose through the amateur ranks in a very short time to utlimately represent Ireland at the Olympics in Atlanta. He carried the flag for Ireland in the opening ceremony, an amazing achievement for somebody who grew up as a member of the Traveller community. In previous days he might have been called a Gypsy. A person who moves here and there, with no real, fixed address.
In Southpaw, the film made about his life, Barrett explains that the name describes a boxer who leads with the right hand and punches with the left, who gets in under an opponent's guard and makes matters awkward. On another level, Travellers do something of the sort. Local people regard them as an irritant, a drain on taxpayers' money. They are treated as malingerers and under-achievers, and encounter discrimination on a day-to-day basis. This is what makes Barrett's success all the more unlikely.
Just by being in the public eye, he counters long-held prejudices about Travellers. However, his story is not quite as gilt-edged as it may at first seem. Relatively early in the film Barrett wins his first fight at the Atlanta Olympics, but is well beaten in his second. Back in Galway, a huge crowd of his friends and relatives look on in dismay.
His was sporting fairytale. Barrett, clean-cut and enthusiastic, was immediately likable. Just by being in the public eye, he countered long-held prejudices about the travellers. Relatively early in the film Barrett wins his first fight at the Atlanta Olympics, but is comprehensively beaten in his second. Back in Galway, a huge crowd of his friends and relatives look on in dismay. But, he “Won Just Once” and that achievement was enough for him.
It was reported in the Irish Times in August 1998 that he was stabbed in Galway because he refused to take part in bare-knuckle street fighting. Francis was not prepared to compromise on his beliefs.
He was a courageous fighter who changed people's attitudes towards his community.
It's an anthem for the the common man, it's a song for us all.
posted by Drew Buddie | 12:56 AM
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