About the song
“The Boxer,” a poignant folk rock ballad, stands as a cornerstone of Simon & Garfunkel’s musical legacy, featured on their seminal album “Bridge over Troubled Water” (1970). Penned by Paul Simon and produced by the duo alongside Roy Halee, the song was initially released as a single on March 21, 1969, nearly a year before its inclusion on the album—a rarity for the time.
The lyrics of “The Boxer” weave together personal introspection with broader social commentary, reflecting Simon’s own experiences and emotions during a period of intense scrutiny and criticism. The song alternates between a first-person narrative and a third-person depiction of a boxer, resonating with themes of resilience in the face of adversity, poverty, and loneliness. Its evocative verses and the plaintive refrain of “lie-la-lie,” accompanied by a distinctive reverbed snare drum, create a hauntingly atmospheric effect that has captivated audiences for decades.
Following the massive success of their previous hit “Mrs. Robinson,” “The Boxer” ascended to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place as one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most beloved tracks. Internationally, the song achieved similar acclaim, reaching the Top 10 in multiple countries including the Netherlands, Austria, South Africa, and Canada.
Rolling Stone magazine honored “The Boxer” by ranking it at No. 106 on its prestigious list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, underscoring its enduring influence and cultural significance. The song’s introspective lyrics, coupled with Simon & Garfunkel’s signature harmonies and meticulous production, continue to resonate with listeners as a testament to the duo’s artistic prowess and ability to craft timeless music that transcends generations.
“The Boxer” remains a quintessential example of Simon & Garfunkel’s ability to blend storytelling with musicality, offering listeners a profound journey into the complexities of human emotion and the resilience of the human spirit. Through its evocative lyrics and evocative instrumentation, the song continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying its place as a classic in the folk rock genre and beyond.
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Lyrics
I am just a poor boy
Though my story’s seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocketful 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 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-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-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 7th 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-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-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 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-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
I love you