About the song
“The Boxer,” performed by the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel, is a song that has left an indelible mark on the world of music. When performed live during their iconic Concert in Central Park on September 19, 1981, it became even more emblematic of their profound impact on the music scene. This concert, attended by over half a million people, was a defining moment in their career, and “The Boxer” was one of the standout performances of the evening.
Simon & Garfunkel, comprised of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, first released “The Boxer” as a single in March 1969. It later appeared on their critically acclaimed album *Bridge Over Troubled Water* in 1970. The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has since been celebrated as one of their greatest works. Its narrative, capturing the struggles and resilience of an individual facing life’s hardships, resonated deeply with listeners.
The live performance of “The Boxer” during The Concert in Central Park is particularly memorable. The setting itself, a historic event held in the heart of New York City, added a layer of poignancy to the song’s already powerful lyrics and melody. The open-air concert, set against the backdrop of the city that both artists called home, allowed for a shared, communal experience that amplified the song’s emotional impact.
Paul Simon’s songwriting shines in “The Boxer,” with its intricate lyrics and evocative storytelling. The song features a notable finger-picked guitar part that has become one of the most recognizable in folk-rock history. Art Garfunkel’s harmonies elevate the song, adding depth and a haunting beauty that lingers long after the final note. The live version from The Concert in Central Park captures their chemistry and the raw emotion that defines their music.
“The Boxer” tells the story of a man who, despite life’s many challenges, continues to endure. Lines like “I am just a poor boy, though my story’s seldom told” and the poignant refrain “Lie la lie” echo the themes of struggle and perseverance. The song’s instrumentation, featuring a blend of acoustic guitars, harmonica, and a powerful rhythm section, underscores the narrative, making it both a personal and universal tale.
This performance during The Concert in Central Park is a testament to Simon & Garfunkel’s enduring legacy. It showcases their ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level, transcending the boundaries of time and place. “The Boxer” remains a timeless classic, a song that speaks to the human condition with honesty and grace. Listening to this live rendition is a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and to reflect the complexities of life through melody and words.
For those who experienced The Concert in Central Park, “The Boxer” is more than just a song; it’s a memory, a piece of history that continues to resonate. For new listeners, it offers a glimpse into the magic that Simon & Garfunkel created, a legacy that continues to inspire and move audiences around the world.
Video
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