The Boxer
Mumford & Sons 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 Boxer by Mumford & Sons is a cover of the classic song by Simon & Garfunkel, and this particular version of the song tells the story of a young boy who sets out from his hometown seeking a better life in the city. The boy is poor and naive, and he quickly learns that the promises of a better life are all lies and jests, which he has learned at great cost. He hits upon hard times, takes comfort in the company of strangers and soon realizes that he is only looking for workman’s wages.
However, the song’s chorus is where the beauty of the song lies, as it speaks to the true spirit of the fighter, who has been beaten down but remains committed to the fight. This line is repeated throughout the song, and each time, it seems to gain more power and gravitas. The reality of life as a fighter is that one will be beaten down and laid low by circumstances, but whether one is a poor boy seeking his fortune or a boxer seeking redemption, the fighter within will always remain.
Overall, The Boxer is a poignant and thought-provoking song that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and how even though we may be knocked down, we will always get back up and keep fighting.
Line by Line Meaning
I am just a poor boy
I am not rich nor do I come from a wealthy background
Though my story's seldom told
I have a story to tell but it is not frequently spoken of
I have squandered my resistance
I have wasted my energy fighting against injustices
For a pocket full of mumbles
In exchange for empty words and unfulfilled promises
Such are promises
Empty promises are common
All lies and jests
Promises are often deceitful
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
People only listen to things that reinforce their preexisting beliefs
And disregards the rest
All other information is ignored or glazed over
When I left my home and my family
When I departed from my family and hometown
I was no more than a boy
I was still young and naive
In the company of strangers
I did not know anybody around me
In the quiet of the railway station
The station was peaceful and serene
Running scared
I was scared and running away
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
I was trying to stay hidden and find the low-cost areas
Where the ragged people go
Where the poor and impoverished people reside
Looking for the places
Trying to discover areas
Only they would know
That only certain people are aware of
Asking only workman's wages
Asking only for a wage that suits a laborer
I come looking for a job
I am searching for employment
But I get no offers
I do not receive any job offers
Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue
Only soliciting and suggestive gestures from prostitutes on the street
I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome
I admit that I was often very lonely
I took some comfort there
The only comfort that was available to me was the attention of the prostitutes
Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
Preparing my winter clothing
And wishing I was gone going home
Desiring to be home instead of where I am
Where the New York City winters
The cold winters of New York City
Aren't bleeding me
Do not cause me harm or difficult circumstances
Leading me
Guiding me
Going home
Back to my place of origin
In the clearing stands a boxer
A boxer stands in an open space
And a fighter by his trade
He is a fighter by profession
And he carries the reminder
With him, he has a reminder
Of every glove that laid him down
Every instance where he was knocked down by a punch
Or cut him till he cried out
A cut that caused him to scream out loud in pain
In his anger and his shame
Feeling both angry and embarrassed by the situation
I am leaving, I am leaving
I am departing
But the fighter still remains
But the fighter within him continues to exist and hold onto the struggle
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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