Track: The Boxer
Artist: Paul Simon
Tabbed by: Rikki Starrett


I've had a good look this time, and nobody has got this one "spot on".
I pick the chords for my version, but they can be strummed just as easily.
Depending on your preference/ability.


TUNE ALL STRINGS DOWN A HALF-STEP/SEMITONE (OPTIONAL)

Chords used:

C.... 332010
G/B.. X2000X
Am... X02210
G.... 320003
G7... 320001
F.... 133211
Em... 022000                                        


Intro: C (picked or strummed - listen to the song and it's simple enough)


Verse 1:


CI (x32010@1)am just a poor boy

                  G/B (143121@7)   AmThough (x02210@1)my story's seldom told,

        GI (320003@1)have squandered my resistance

       G7 (320001@1)                            CFor (x32010@1)a pocket full of mumbles such are promises.

     G/B (143121@7)    AmAll (x02210@1)lies and jest,

         G (320003@1)              FStill (133211@1)a man hears what he wants to hear

                   C (x32010@1)  G (320003@1)C (x32010@1)
And disregards the rest.



Verse 2:


        CWhen (x32010@1)I left my home and my family
 
               G/B (143121@7)  AmI (x02210@1)was no more than a boy

        GIn (320003@1)the company of strangers,
  
        G7 (320001@1)                       CIn (x32010@1)the quiet of a railway station running scared.

G/B (143121@7)   Am (x02210@1)         G (320003@1)            FLaying (133211@1)low, seeking out the poorer quarters

                        CWhere (x32010@1)the ragged people go

         G (320003@1)            F (133211@1)            CLooking (x32010@1)for the places only the would know.



Chorus 1:


        Am (x02210@1)        EmLie (022000@1)la lie, lie la lie lie, lie la lie,

        AmLie (x02210@1)la lie,

        G7 (320001@1)                          CLie (x32010@1)la lie la lie la lie la la la la lie.



Verse 3:


        CAsking (x32010@1)only workmans wages

                G/B (143121@7) AmI (x02210@1)come looking for a job 
 
               GBut (320003@1)I get no offers,

        G7 (320001@1)                               CJust (x32010@1)a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue.

  G/B (143121@7)  Am (x02210@1)             G (320003@1)             FI (133211@1)do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome

                     C (x32010@1)         G (320003@1)          CI (x32010@1)took some comfort there, la la la la la.



Musical bridge:

C, C G/B Am, G, G7, C
C G/B Am, G F, F C, G F, C



Chorus 2: (Same as chorus one)



Verse 4:


     CThen (x32010@1)I'm laying out my winter clothes 

             G/B (143121@7) AmAnd (x02210@1)wishing I was gone,

       GGoing (320003@1)home

           G7 (320001@1)                         CWhere (x32010@1)the New York City winters aren't bleeding me,

Em (022000@1)         Am (x02210@1)       G (320003@1)   CBleeding (x32010@1)me ____ Going home.



Verse 5:


        CIn (x32010@1)the clearing stands the boxer

              G/B (143121@7)    AmAnd (x02210@1)a fighter by his trade

       GAnd (320003@1)he carries the reminders

    G7Of (320001@1)Every glove that layed him down

    COr (x32010@1)cut him till he cried out
     
             G/B (143121@7)   AmIn (x02210@1)his anger and his shame,

      G (320003@1)           F"I (133211@1)am leaving, I am leaving!"

                      C (x32010@1)     G, F, CBut (x32010@1)the fighter still remains.



Chorus 3: (Same) Repeat X8



Outro:


C, C G/B Am, G, G7, C
C G/B Am, G F, F C, G F, C