About the song
The Boxer” is a poignant ballad by Simon & Garfunkel that delves into themes of loneliness, resilience, and the human spirit’s enduring capacity for hope. Released in 1969 as a standalone single, the song quickly garnered critical acclaim and became a staple of the duo’s repertoire. Its haunting melody and introspective lyrics have resonated with audiences for decades, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
The song’s narrative unfolds as a first-person lament, with the protagonist recounting a life marked by hardship and disillusionment. The imagery of a boxer, a solitary figure battling against overwhelming odds, serves as a metaphor for the protagonist’s personal struggles. As the song progresses, the narrator reveals a deep-seated yearning for connection and a desire to escape from the confines of his own suffering.
One of the most striking elements of “The Boxer” is its musical arrangement. The song features a minimalist instrumentation, with Paul Simon’s acoustic guitar providing the melodic foundation. The addition of a pedal steel guitar and piccolo trumpet adds a touch of melancholy and introspection. The heavily reverbed snare drum that accompanies the refrain lends a sense of urgency and emotional intensity to the song.
The lyrics of “The Boxer” are both personal and universal, drawing inspiration from Simon’s own experiences and reflecting on the broader human condition. The song’s exploration of poverty, loneliness, and the search for meaning has resonated with countless listeners, making it a timeless anthem of resilience and hope.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Simon & Garfunkel or discovering their music for the first time, “The Boxer” is a song that deserves a place in your personal music library. Its haunting beauty, evocative lyrics, and timeless message make it a truly unforgettable piece of art.
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Lyrics
I am just a poor boy
Though my story’s seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocketful of mumbles
Such are promises
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest
When I left 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, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Asking only workman’s wages, I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on 7th Avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there, la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
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 glove 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
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
I love you