ccclxxx. SIMON, Paul: The Boxer

ccclxxx. SIMON, Paul (1941-       )

The Boxer (1991)
PS, vocals, guitar
Mingo Araujo, percussion
Cyro Baptista, percussion
Chris Botti, trumpet
Michael Brecker, saxophones
Tony Cedras, keyboards, accordion
Dom Chacal, percussion
Steve Gadd, drums
Sidinho Moreira, percussion
Vincent Nguini, guitar
Roy Phiri, guitar
Barney Rachabane, saxophone
Armand Sabal-Lecco, bass
John Selolwane, guitar
Richard Tee, piano
The Waters, vocals
(4:19)

from: Paul Simon's Concert in the Park

Well, I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
I've 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, mhmm

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

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

Then I laid out my winter clothes
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
And cut him 'til he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains, still remains