I saw him interviewed the other day.
I couldn’t make out half of what he tried to say.
How did it happen? Tell me what went wrong.         
It only seems a while ago he was so fit and strong when he would
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
He must have been the greatest that we’ll ever get to see.    
And though his momma called him 'Cassius' all the people cheered ‘Ali’.
So who are they cheering for now, cheering for now?

I still remember that first Liston fight;
How no-one gave him half a chance to win that night.
When Sonny charged in like an angry bear,
He danced away and left him only punching empty air 'cos he could

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee; 
he must have been the greatest that we’ll ever get to see.
And though his momma called him 'Cassius' all the smart ones backed Ali
So who are they betting on now, betting on now?

And in the end when he was brought down low,
The glittering display became a horror show.
Each time he stepped out we said, ‘Not again.’
For we could still remember, through the anguish and the pain how he would

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee;
he must have been the greatest that we’ll ever get to see.
And though his momma called him 'Cassius 'when she held him on her knee,
Is anyone holding him now? Holding him now? 
Holding him now? Holding him now?