Before he was undisputed champion
they’d detract from his skill
wanting him to take blows for dollars.
But he was smart and gained the crown
taking as few punches as possible,
quick on his feet, weaving in the ring
in a way that confounded
some thinking no fight had been fought at all
and that they had been cheated.
After that he changed his name which freaked them.
Who’d ever heard of Mohammed
American star?
Then, he refused to support the war
against straw hat peasants,
rejecting the certain adulation
of troops, sent to die
for the notions and greed of established men.
For this, he gave up his splendid career
and went to jail, a true believer.
Later he supported old age homes
and led a plain family life,
shaking like many before him,
speaking with excruciating effort,
he who is always my hero,
the greatest of all
Some Didn’t Love Him
with love and appreciation for Mohammed Ali
Before he was undisputed champion
they’d detract from his skill
wanting him to take blows for dollars.
But he was smart and gained the crown
taking as few punches as possible,
quick on his feet, weaving in the ring
in a way that confounded
some thinking no fight had been fought at all
and that they had been cheated.
After that he changed his name which freaked them.
Who’d ever heard of Mohammed
American star?
Then, he refused to support the war
against straw hat peasants,
rejecting the certain adulation
of troops, sent to die
for the notions and greed of established men.
For this, he gave up his splendid career
and went to jail, a true believer.
Later he supported old age homes
and led a plain family life,
shaking like many before him,
speaking with excruciating effort,
he who is always my hero,
the greatest of all