I am just a poor boy
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 la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la 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
La la la la la la la

Lie la lie, lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie

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 carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him 'til 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 la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie, la la la la lie


Lyrics submitted by kevin

The Boxer Lyrics as written by Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Boxer song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

92 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +12
    General Comment

    Well, I am often cited as being a pessimist; perhaps rightly so...but I interpret this song differently than most.

    First, the genre of folk rock music leads me to think that the song is NOT one of hope (or overcoming the despair, loneliness, fear conveyed within the first few verses).

    I think it's interesting that the narrator (telling his seldom-told story), prefaces his story by stating that "still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest..." To me, I believe Paul was being ironic, referring to listeners who thought that the "fighter still remains" was a victory or triumph for the boxer. I believe that while the boxer (metaphor) may not leave the ring ("fighter still remains")...that does not signify victory in any sense. I equate it to similar ideas in other P. Simon tunes; like American Tune, or like in America. Songs about unfulfilled dreams (IMO).

    Again, some interpret these songs as perservering/overcoming; I read them as the protagonist simply giving in, or worse yet--feeling powerless to overcome unfulfilled hopes/dreams. Giving in, accepting that the dream was just a dream. Songs about acquiescing... If it isn't obvious, my interpretation of this song is sad, while at the same time, comforting. The boxer is not just Paul; it's basically anyone (everyone?). We're all battle weary.... And while we may keep on keeping on, that doesn't mean we're victorious (morally or otherwise).

    UWDawgfatheron March 09, 2010   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    I've heard this verse added a few times, I guess it would be the 4th verse:

    Now the years are rolling by me, they are rocking evenly. I am older than I once was, but younger than I'll be. That's not unusual. No, it isn't strange, After changes upon changes, we are more or less the same. After changes we are more or less the same.

    zer0vectoron September 11, 2002   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    It is so ironic that I read through these comments until I find one I agree with (like UWDawgfather's) and forget about the rest.

    The melancholy melody tells me it isn't a song about victory at all

    The fighter remains because he doesn't have a choice. It is his only way to make a living and he doesn't want do it anymore.

    duncon September 12, 2011   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    I can remember when SNL came back for the first time after the september 11th attacks. Paul Simon opened the show with this song.

    I asked my girlfriend if she wouldn't prefer to hear "America" instead. But she said no, the boxer was the right mood for us. We needed courage and strength, even though we had been beaten down.

    Upon reflection, I think she was right.

    sakeboxon April 11, 2003   Link
  • +6
    My Interpretation

    I just see this as a man who's hopeless, who's not getting what he wanted out of life. He seems to present it as a story no one wants to hear, that doesn't inspire anyone despite it being the brutal reality of many people "still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the life". I think it just shows his best efforts to live on his own despite thinking he can't do it, and this is supported by the boxer metaphor. He's fighting to stay alive and to live on his own, even though all the odds are against him. And every blow he takes just makes him want to go home more, but he can't leave, and so the fighter still remains.

    NexusHUBon October 23, 2012   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    Actually this song came to Paul as he was on a plane and looking through the bible and saw "workman's wages" and he immediatly started writing and was in a time of depression at the time. Its ALL ABOUT PAUL!!! AS a young man in England, and New York, the boxer is a metaphor for his perserverance.! READ THE WORDS AGAIN.
    And I think Paul Simon has litttle over Bob Dylan. He's a bit more direct and doesnt stray the meaning for no reason like Dylan does with Mr Tambourine Man or something. He wont even say waht its about! REspect for Dylan though, still one of the best, but I personally think Paul is better.

    sebastianquilton April 16, 2004   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    this song carry's so much... anger, sadness, frustration, lonliness, fear, regret, and strength. It's a great fight song about pulling through when everything's against you.

    BlackEyedAngelson April 10, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    It's a semi biographical piece from Paul Simon. Fantastic song but needs to be considered with the removed verse:

    Now the years are rolling by me They are rocking evenly I am older than I once was Younger than I'll be, that's not unusual. No, it isn't strange After changes upon changes We are more or less the same After changes we are more or less the same

    tuckyon March 17, 2007   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    I'm noticing a lot of similarities to J.D. Salinger's "Catcher In the Rye".

    Just throwing that out there.

    FearTheHobbitson February 18, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song might be about the Prodigal Son in the Bible, but I think there are probably a lot of correlations to the narrator, or probably Paul Simon himself, going out on his own as a young man. My favorite part is the following: '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.' That, to me, conjures up an image of a young person who moves to the big city (NYC) to embark on his dream. He gets homesick but that's the sacrifice he made to go after what he believed in.

    alracon February 01, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.