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The Boxer

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Original
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Tune down your guitar one semi-tone. The studio recording is tuned slightly sharp of a
half step down. Try about +20 cents using an electronic tuner.
If you want to play in the original key in standard tuning, transpose this chord sheet
and/or use a capo to match the recording:
Transpose Capo Play Key
-3 2nd fret A B (studio version)
-5 4th fret G B (studio version)
+1 1st fret C C# (Live: "Concert in Central Park")
- - C C (Live: "Live 1969", "Old Friends",
"Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'")
[Intro]
| C|
[Verse 1]
CI am just a poor boy, though my story's C/Bseldom Amtold
I have Gsquandered my resistance
For a G7pocketful of G6mumbles such are Cpromises
All C/Blies and Amjest still a Gman hears what he Fwants to hear
And disregards the CrestG  F  G  C  
When I Cleft my home and family I was no more C/Bthan a Amboy
In the Gcompany of strangers
In the G7quiet of a G6railway station Crunning scared
C/BLaying Amlow seeking Gout the poorer Fquarters where the ragged people Cgo
Looking Gfor the places Fonly Gthey would Cknow
[Refrain]
Lie-la-Amlie
Lie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
Lie-la Gla la la la lie la la la la Clie
[Verse 2]
Asking Conly workmans wages I come looking C/Bfor a Amjob
But I get no Goffers
Just a G7come-on from the G6whores on Seventh CAvenue
I C/Bdo deAmclare there were Gtimes when I was Fso lonesome I took some comfort Cthere
La-la-Gla-la-la-la-laC  
[Interlude]
| C| C   C/B   Am| G7| G7|
| C| C   C/B   Am| G7|
(2/4)
| F| C   G7| F| C|
(2/4)
*************************************************************************************
Extra verse in live versions
Now the Cyears are rolling by me, they are rocking C/BevenAmly
And I am Golder than I once was
And G7younger than I'll G6be, that's not unCusual
No, it C/Bisn't Amstrange, after Gchanges upon Fchanges we are more or less the sCame
After Gchanges we are Fmore or less the Csame
**************************************************************************************
[Refrain]
Lie-la-Amlie
Lie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
Lie-la Gla la la la lie la la la la Clie
[Verse 3]
Then I'm Claying out my winter clothes and wishing C/BI was Amgone
Going Ghome where the G7New York City G6winters aren't Cbleeding me
EmLeading me-Ame
Going G7homeC  
In the Cclearing stands a boxer and a fighter C/Bby his Amtrade
And he Gcarries the reminders
Of G7ev'ry glove that G6laid him down or Ccut him till he cried out
In his anger C/Band his Amshame
"I am Gleaving, I am Fleaving." but the fighter still reCmains
Hm, hm, GhmF  G  C  
[Refrain]
Lie-la-Amlie
Lie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ Am]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
AmLie-la-Emla-la-la lie-la-lie
Lie la Amlie
G[ C]
Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie
[Outro]
| C| C   C/B   Am| G| G|
| C| C   C/B   Am| G7|
(2/4)
| F| C   G7| F| C  C  
(2/4)

The story behind the song

"The Boxer" is a folk rock ballad written by Paul Simon and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel for their final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water. Released as a standalone single in March 1969, it was later included on the album ten months later. The lyrics, largely autobiographical and inspired by the Bible, discuss poverty and loneliness, taking the form of a first-person lament and a third-person sketch of a boxer. The song is particularly known for its plaintive 'lie-la-lie' refrain, accompanied by a heavily reverbed snare drum.

AI-written from these sources:The Boxer — Wikipedia ↗Simon & Garfunkel — Wikipedia ↗

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About The Boxer Chords by Simon & Garfunkel

Learn how to play The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Boxer chords”, “The Boxer guitar chords”, or “Simon & Garfunkel The Boxer chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Boxer chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Boxer lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, B, G, C, C/B, Am.

FAQ — The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel

How do I play "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Boxer" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Boxer" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Boxer"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Boxer" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Boxer" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Boxer" in?

The chords for "The Boxer" show the original chord names (including A, B, G, C, C/B, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.