Boxer
Gaslight Anthem Lyrics

Got your pride and your prose
Referring to someone having ammunition (pride and prose) ready for use in a particular situation.

Tucked just like a Tommy gun
Comparing the tucked pride and prose to a Tommy gun, indicating the theme of violence and preparedness.

Somewhere in the smoke
Metaphorically describing the location of the pride and prose in the mind of the person, emphasizing the foggy and unclear motivation behind keeping it tucked away.

Just in case you need it
Explaining that the purpose of the pride and prose is to be available if needed for a situation that is foreseen or not.

I know you got your pride and your prose
Reiterating the reference to the person possessing the pride and prose throughout the song.

Some of her to spin around
Referring to a person trying to move on after a difficult relationship, indicating the emotional baggage that may persist.

Rougher than the last one
Comparing the current relationship to the previous one, indicating that the current situation may be more challenging and difficult.

Oh, what'd you used to say
Questioning a phrase or a statement that was made in the past, reflecting on the present situation.

The harder they come
Referring to a phrase that implies the more challenging situations are coming, implying that the person may need to use their pride and prose.

But he just swears he's praying for a good time
Describing the person's attitude towards the upcoming situation as positive, hoping to enjoy it.

He, he said he just doesn't miss her
The person is indicating that they have moved on from a relationship and are no longer emotionally attached or affected.

And I have heard you never really lose it
Suggesting that emotional baggage and past experiences tend to linger in a person's mind, despite attempts to move on.

Do you, do you
Repeatedly questioning whether the person has been able to overcome their emotional baggage or not.

He took it all gracefully on the chin
Describing how the person has dealt with the challenges in their life and has handled it properly.

Knowing that the beatings had to someday end
Acknowledging that life's hardship will eventually come to an end, and the person's perseverance will be rewarded.

He found the bandages inside the pen
Referring to how the person has learned to cope with their problems and healed themselves.

And the stitches on the radio
Describing how music played a role in the healing process and was a source of comfort.

There was something, baby, holding you down
Acknowledging that the person has been struggling and has been held back, perhaps by their emotional baggage.

And there were whispers that were driving you crazy
Describing the person's inner voice as being very negative and overwhelming, adding to their mental struggles.

And now you hunt the heart of this town
Referring to a person's desire to explore or understand the place where they live, indicating the desire for the person to come to terms with their past and their surroundings.

Remember when I knew a boxer, baby
Recalling the person's past, perhaps relating to someone from the past who used to fight or metaphorically referring to the person as a fighter or someone who has overcome obstacles.

And you tied two knuckles up
Metaphorically describing a person trying to prepare themselves and brace themselves for the challenges ahead.

How they grind down
Describing how the person's efforts may not be fruitful, and how they could eventually be worn down.

Tried to be a man
Referring to the societal expectations and pressures for men to be tough and strong, emphasizing the emotional toll of trying to conform.

Tough just like your father
Comparing the person to their father, perhaps indicating that the person is struggling with an inherited sense of pride and toughness.

Try to settle down
Implying that the person is trying to find peace or stability in their life.

Boy, I could calm down
Referring to someone else's desire to calm down and reassuring them that it's okay to relax or be vulnerable.

Remember them songs
Recalling past events and experiences through music or other means of escape and comfort.

And the reasons we were singing
Reiterating that the past events had a profound effect on the person and how they sought solace.

He said he just doesn't miss her
Reiterating that the person has moved on and is no longer attached to their past.

He, he said it's somewhere in his framework
Referring to the emotional baggage as being ingrained in the person and more difficult to overcome.

And I have heard you never really lose it
Reiterating that the emotional baggage tends to stay with the person and requires a constant effort to overcome.

Do you, do you
Repeatedly questioning whether the person has overcome their emotional baggage or not.

You can wait all night long
Describing how a person could be waiting and hoping for a change or a resolution to their struggles.

Until it all goes wrong
Referring to a potential negative outcome from waiting and hoping, perhaps indicating the importance of taking action instead of waiting for things to change.

And you waste away your soul
Describing the detrimental effects of waiting and hoping while taking no action to solve problems.

And you can wait, wait, wait, wait
Reiterating how waiting and hoping can be counterproductive.

You took it all gracefully on the chin
Describing how the person has handled the challenges in their life with grace and courage.

Knowing that the beatings had to someday end
Reiterating the idea that the difficult times will eventually come to an end and that the person's perseverance will be rewarded.

You found the bandages inside the pen
Referring to the person's ability to heal and recover from injuries or emotional trauma.

And the stitches on the radio
Describing how music or other forms of escape can be a source of comfort and help with the healing process.

There was something, baby, holding you down
Reiterating the idea that the person has been struggling and has been held back, perhaps indicating that the person needs help to break free from their struggles.

And there were whispers that were driving you crazy
Reiterating the idea that the person's inner voice is very negative and overwhelming, emphasizing the need for external help.

Until you hunt the heart of this town
Emphasizing the importance of exploring and understanding the person's surroundings and context as a means of overcoming their struggles.

Remember when I knew a boxer, baby
Recalling someone from the past who was tough and could fight well, encouraging the person to channel their inner strength and overcome their struggles.