The Boxer
Jerry Douglas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocket full of mumbles
Such are promises
All lies and jests
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 la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la 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 Seventh Avenue
I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there
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
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminder
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 la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
The lyrics of "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel tell the story of a poor man struggling to survive in the city, making a living by any means necessary. The first verse describes the man's naivete, as he falls for promises that turn out to be empty. As he grows older, the man's journey takes him to the city, where he is confronted with the harsh reality of urban life. The second verse describes his experiences in New York, where he tries to find work but is unsuccessful. He spends time with prostitutes for comfort, but ultimately longs to return home where life is easier.
The final verse introduces the boxer, who serves as a symbol of hope for the man. The boxer has faced many struggles but remains resilient, leaving the man inspired to keep fighting. The "lie la lie" chorus is a refrain that emphasizes the importance of persistence and determination in the face of adversity. The song ultimately suggests that, like the boxer, the man must keep going in order to overcome the challenges he faces.
Line by Line Meaning
I am just a poor boy
I come from humble beginnings.
Though my story's seldom told
My history is not often shared.
I have squandered my resistance
I have wasted my strength.
For a pocket full of mumbles
For meaningless and empty promises.
Such are promises
Empty guarantees.
All lies and jests
Falsehoods and jokes.
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
People only hear what they want to believe.
And disregards the rest
And ignore the inconvenient truth.
When I left my home and my family
When I started my journey and left my loved ones.
I was no more than a boy
I was just a child.
In the company of strangers
Accompanied by unfamiliar faces.
In the quiet of the railway station
Sitting alone in the stillness of the train station.
Running scared
Frightened and anxious.
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Keeping a low profile and searching for impoverished places.
Where the ragged people go
The destitute areas.
Looking for the places
Searching for locations.
Only they would know
Only the impoverished know about these places.
Asking only workman's wages
Requesting a reasonable salary.
I come looking for a job
I am seeking employment.
But I get no offers
But nobody will hire me.
Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue
Only getting solicited by prostitutes.
I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome
At times, I felt incredibly isolated.
I took some comfort there
I found solace in their company.
Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
Preparing for winter.
And wishing I was gone going home
Longing to be with loved ones back home.
Where the New York City winters aren't bleeding me
Where the city's harsh winters aren't draining me.
Leading me
Guiding me.
Going home
Returning home.
In the clearing stands a boxer
In the open space is a fighter.
And a fighter by his trade
A skilled and experienced fighter.
And he carries the reminder
And he remembers.
Of every glove that laid him down
Of every punch that knocked him down.
Or cut him till he cried out
Or of the cuts that made him scream out.
In his anger and his shame
Feeling embarrassed, humiliated, and angry.
I am leaving, I am leaving
I must depart.
But the fighter still remains
But the spirit of the fighter within me persists.
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Nonsensical interlude.
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Nonsensical interlude.
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Nonsensical interlude.
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Nonsensical interlude.
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Nonsensical interlude.
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Nonsensical interlude.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MoreCowbellXD
"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest" There is something so beautiful and powerful about that.
@PatrickDAllen1
Sounds like the perfect description of our current president.
@MrWilky73
I’m sure you’re talking about Bumbling Biden. Unity??? What a bullshit politician thing to say!
@Floweringlotus
Women too!
@citygonecountry150
Its a great generalization of the history of humanity not a current situation. All of them.
@joshdoughton9288
Paul Simon has alot of very awesome lyrics.
@MrAtb96
The way I see it, is props to Marcus Mumford for introducing this song to a younger audience! I was not born when Simon and Garfunkel came along, only 19 years old, but thanks to my parents they have raised me on great songs like this. I don't care if the younger generation knows who Paul Simon is, to each their own. still an absolutely great cover
@yetisquatch5132
Its important that the newer artists cover the older artists songs however they do. My children tend to ask me about music my ex says sounds familiar but I would know usually and not to google it since "(I) know great music and can turn them onto to the right songs bh the original bands and various other covers worth listening to. Same with the cover of S&G's The Sound ov Silence. They are both metal heads but have learned so much from my music and knowledge. I'm that and those like you who would if you had the time. The Dobro is so powerful in this version. It was like it was written for it!
@jollyroger4868
Cheers to that!
@georgianwindow
it certainly is well said and this version is so so good