The Boxer
Simon And Garfunkel · Other Songs - Simon And Garfunkel
though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
for a pocket full 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 a railway station running scared
laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
where the ragged people go
looking for the places only they would know.
(chorus)
lie la lie...
Asking only workmans 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 where times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there
la la la la la la la
(chorus)
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 carrys a reminder
of every glove that layed 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)
The Boxer
Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer" stands as a defining anthem of the late 1960s folk-rock era, capturing the tension between personal vulnerability and societal pressure. The song's narrative follows a boxer who retreats from the ring to a quiet life, mirroring the band's own introspective style and the broader cultural mood of the time. With its distinctive acoustic guitar work and Paul Simon's intricate vocal harmonies, the track exemplifies the duo's ability to blend poetic storytelling with melodic sophistication. Released during their peak commercial success, the recording remains a cornerstone of their discography, influencing countless artists who followed in the folk-rock genre. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal themes of isolation and the search for peace, making it a timeless piece of musical history.