The Boxer
View chords used in this chart
For a pocketful of mumbles
C
Such are promises
Am
All lies and jest
G F
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
C
And disregards the rest.
G C
La-la la, la-la la-la la-la la.
[Verse 2]
C
When I left my home and family
Am
I was no more than a boy
G
In the company of strangers
F
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
Lookin for the places
F C
Only they would know.
[Chorus]
Am
Lay-la lay
G
Lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay
Am
Lay-la lay
F G C
Lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay.
[Verse 3]
C
Askin only workman's wages
Am
I come lookin for a job
G
But I get no offers
F G
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 F C
Oh-la la, la-la la-la la-la la.
[Chorus]
Am
Lay-la lay (lay-la lay)
G
Lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay
Am
Lay-la lay
F G C
Lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay.
[Bridge]
C
Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
Am
And wishing I was gone
G
Going home
F
Where the New York city winters
C
Aren't bleeding me
Am
Leading me
G
Going home.
[Verse 4]
C
In the clearing stands a boxer
Am
And a fighter by his trade
G
And he carries the reminders
F
Of every glove that laid him down
C
And cut him till he cried out
Am
In his anger and his shame
G F
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
C
But the fighter still remains
G C
La-la la, la-la la-la la-la la.
[Chorus]
Am
Lay-la lay
G
Lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay
Am
Lay-la lay
F G C
Lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay-lay lay-la lay.
[Outro]
C
How to play The Boxer
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.