The Boxer

Words & Music:

Paul Simon

 

C                                       C/B     Am

I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told.

       G                                                              C

I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles.  Such are promises.

           Am

All lies & jest!

         G                 F                                C   G   C

Still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.

 

When I let my home and my family, I was no more than a boy

In the company of strangers in the quiet of the railway station running scared.

Laying low,

        G              F                                C

Seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go.

         G             F     G         C

Looking for the places only they would know.

 

CHORUS:

       Am          G

Lie-la-lie, lie-la-lie la-lie-la-lie.

       Am          G             F

Lie-la-lie, lie-la-lie la-lie-la-lie.

        G7   C

La la la la lie

 

Asking only workmen's wages I come looking for a job, but I get no offers.

Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue.

I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome

I took some comfort there.

Ooo-la-la  la-la  la-la.

 

Then I'm laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone.  Going home.

Where the New York City winters aren't bleeding me.  Leading me, going home.

 

In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade.

And he carries the reminders of every clothes that laid him down

Or cut him till he cried out in his anger and his shame,

"I am leaving.  I am leaving."  But the fighter still remains.

 

CHORUS:

 




Back to the Songbook Index.

This page's content is copyrighted ©1977-2008 by Kristin C. Hall. Please drop me a line (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") if you wish to use it or link to it or correct it! Please send comments, suggestions, fixes and general mischievious mayhem to the web diva via the above email address. (sorry, spambots have forced me to remove my automatic mail link.) Many thanks...and enjoy!

Note to lawyers and any other litigious-minded folk:
I am not trying to screw anyone out of royalties, etc. I have posted these only as a helpful resources for teachers, camp counselors and people who like to "sing along with Mitch", if you will. If you do not want your work posted to these pages, please just email me (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") and I shall remove it.