Nick Drake – Poor Boy

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Never sing for my supper
I never help my neighbor
Never do what is proper
For my fair share of labor.

I'm a poor boy
And I'm a rover
Count your coins and
Throw them over my shoulder
I may grow older
Nobody knows
How cold it grows
And nobody sees
How shaky my knees
Nobody cares
How steep my stairs
And nobody smiles
If I cross their stiles.

Oh poor boy
So sorry for himself
Oh poor boy
So worried for his health.
You may say every day
Where will he stay tonight.

Never know what I came for
Seems that I've forgotten
Never ask what I came for
Or how I was begotten.

I'm a poor boy
And I'm a ranger
Things I say
May seem stranger than Sunday
Changing to Monday.
Nobody knows
How cold it flows
And nobody feels
The worn down heels
Nobody's eyes
Make the skies
Nobody spreads
Their aching heads.

Oh poor boy
So worried for his life
Oh poor boy
So keen to take a wife.

He's a mess but he'll say yes
If you just dress in white.

Nobody knows
How cold it blows
And nobody sees
How shaky my knees
Nobody cares
How steep my stairs
And nobody smiles
If you cross their stiles.

Oh poor boy
So sorry for himself
Oh poor boy
So worried for his health.
You may say every day
Where will he stay tonight.

Oh poor boy
So worried for his life
Oh poor boy
So keen to take a wife.

Oh poor boy
So sorry for himself
Oh poor boy
So worried for his health
Oh poor boy.

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Lyrics submitted by foxyurchin

Track duration: 06:06

"Poor Boy" as written by Vera Matson Elvis Presley

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Poor Boy song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:He was an extreme introvert. I'm one too, and I interpret this as I've experienced life - wondering and assuming you know what people are thinking about you. Introversion can be a very self-centered state - you assume everybody's thinking about you all the time, judging you and finding you lacking, laughing at you in contempt. It's not true, of course, but still that's how the introvert feels.

    Bless his heart.* He was keenly aware of how he appeared to others, but he couldn't see past his insecurity to recognize his own immense worth.


    *It's not always an insult, y'all. :)
    Flag aventurineon December 14, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really think that he is talking about himself. I understand that he starts talking about what people say about him. All his flaws, then he tells us what happens in his mind.
    Like saying, Ok, I do all this bad things, but do you really know what's happening to me? You can list all my flaws, but do you care why I am like that?
    Flag Gleschon October 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Shouldn't it be "Nobody smiles if I cross their STYLES"?

    Though stiles could work, just a thought.
    Flag ThomYorkeGuyGarvey92on September 17, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Undoubtedly a reflection of Nick's troubles finding love.
    I heard "how steep my stairs" as "how I steal my stares". In other words, his stares at women. Not sure which one is right.
    Flag s16807on August 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes this is one of my favourites from the amazing nick drake
    Flag Ruton June 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i'm surprised there were no comments on this song. more people need to experience nick drake's greatness. this song's soo good.
    Flag Sum1LsesChpstckon January 28, 2005   Link

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