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About The Song
The Boxer is a poignant folk rock song by the American duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1968 as the title track of their fifth studio album. The song paints a vivid picture of a weary and disillusioned individual, often interpreted as a metaphor for the struggles of the counterculture movement of the late 1960s.
The lyrics delve into themes of loneliness, isolation, and the pursuit of meaning in a world that seems indifferent and hostile. The protagonist, a boxer, symbolizes the resilience and determination required to face life’s challenges, but also the physical and emotional toll they can take.
The song’s haunting melody and introspective lyrics have made it a timeless classic, resonating with listeners across generations. Its opening lines, “I had a dream, I was speeding down the highway,” immediately set the tone for a journey of self-discovery and introspection. The boxer, a figure often associated with strength and courage, becomes a symbol of the protagonist’s inner turmoil and struggles.
The song’s bridge, “I love the nightlife, but I’m afraid of the dark,” captures the protagonist’s conflicted emotions and desires. The darkness, often associated with fear and uncertainty, represents the unknown challenges and dangers that lie ahead. The nightlife, on the other hand, symbolizes the allure of superficial pleasures and distractions.
The song’s final verse, “And I still carry the scars, the marks of a violent past,” reinforces the idea of the protagonist’s resilience and determination. Despite the hardships they have endured, they continue to fight on, driven by a desire for redemption and a belief in a better future.
The Boxer is a powerful and evocative song that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its themes of struggle, resilience, and the human condition make it a timeless classic that has earned its place in the annals of popular music.
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the 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 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
Lie-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
Lie-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…