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The Boxer

Chords

4.94,000 votes

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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)

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

This folk rock ballad paints a vivid picture of struggle and resilience. The lyrics, largely autobiographical, describe a person's fight against loneliness and poverty in New York City, with the songwriter feeling unfairly criticized during its creation. The song shifts from a first-person lament to a third-person sketch of a boxer, carrying the marks of every blow, yet remaining a fighter. The plaintive "lie-la-lie" refrain, though initially a placeholder, adds to the song's emotional depth. It's a song about enduring hardship and finding the strength to carry on.

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

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

The Boxer

by Simon & Garfunkel

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/B

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]

| |

[Verse 1]

C C/B Am

I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told

I have squandered my resistance

G7 G6 C

For a pocketful of mumbles such are promises

C/B Am G F

All lies and jest still a man hears what he wants to hear

C G F G C

And disregards the rest

C C/B Am

When I left my home and family I was no more than a boy

In the company of strangers

G7 G6 C

In the quiet of a railway station running scared

C/B Am G F C

Laying low seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go

G F G C

Looking for the places only they would know

[Refrain]

Lie-la-lie

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G C

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

[Verse 2]

C C/B Am

Asking only workmans wages I come looking for a job

But I get no offers

G7 G6 C

Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue

C/B Am G F C

I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome I took some comfort there

G C

La-la-la-la-la-la-la

[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

C C/B Am

Now the years are rolling by me, they are rocking evenly

And I am older than I once was

G7 G6 C

And younger than I'll be, that's not unusual

C/B Am G F C

No, it isn't strange, after changes upon changes we are more or less the same

G F C

After changes we are more or less the same

**************************************************************************************

[Refrain]

Lie-la-lie

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G C

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

[Verse 3]

C C/B Am

Then I'm laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone

G G7 G6 C

Going home where the New York City winters aren't bleeding me

Em Am

Leading me-e

G7 C

Going home

C C/B Am

In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade

And he carries the reminders

G7 G6 C

Of ev'ry glove that laid him down or cut him till he cried out

C/B Am

In his anger and his shame

G F C

"I am leaving, I am leaving." but the fighter still remains

G F G C

Hm, hm, hm

[Refrain]

Lie-la-lie

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

G Am

[ ]

Lie-la la la la la lie la la la la lie

Am Em

Lie-la-la-la-la lie-la-lie

Lie la lie

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)

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?

Open the free chords for "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel free?

Yes. The chords for "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

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?

Many players learn "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Simon & Garfunkel below.

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.