The Boxer Chords
The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of C. It uses the chords C, Am, G, G7, G6 and F. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
C
I am just a poor boy.
Am
Though my story's seldom told,
G
I have squandered my resistance
G7 G6 C
For a pocket full of mumbles, Such are promises
Am
All lies and jest
G F
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
C G G7 G6 C
And disregards the rest.
C
When I left my home And my family,
Am
I was no more than a boy
G
In the company of strangers
G7 G7
In the quiet of the railway station,
C
Running scared,
Am
Laying low,
G F
Seeking out the poorer quarters
C
Where the ragged people go
G
Looking for the places
G7 G6 C
Only they would know
Am
lie-la-lie,
G Am
Lie-la-lie la lie-la-lie lie-la-lie,
F G C
Lie-la-lie la la la la, Lie la la la la lie.
Asking only workman's wages
Am
I come looking for a job,
G
But I get no offers,
G7 G6
Just a come-on from the whores
C
On Seventh Avenue
Am
I do declare,
G F
There were times when I was so lonesome
C
I took some comfort there.
G G7 G6 C
Ooo-la-la la-la la-la
Now I'm laying out my winter clothes
Am
And wishing I was gone,
G
Going home
G7 G6
Where the New York City winters
C
Aren't bleeding me,
Am
Leading me - e,
G C
Going home.
In the clearing stands a boxer,
Am
And a fighter by his trade
G
And he carries the reminders
G7 G6
Of ev'ry glove that laid him down
C
Or cut him till he cried out
Am
In his anger and his shame,
G F
"I am leaving, I am leaving."
C G G7 G6 C
But the fighter still remains
Am
Lie-la-lie,
G Am
Lie-la-lie la lie-la-lie lie-la-lie,
F G C
Lie-la-lie la la la la, Lie la la la la lie.