The Boxer - Simon & GarfunkelI liked this song not so much for it's tune as its accurate reflection of those who live rough. I could imagine it is set perhaps early to mid 20th century. The writer captures the scene like he had been there and lived among such unfortunate ones, feeling their hopelessness.
When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know
Asking only workmans wages, I come lookin for a job, but I get no offers
Just a comeon from the whores on 7th avenue I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome I took some comfort there
And Im laying out my winter clothes, wishing I was gone, goin home
Where the new york city winters arent bleedin me, leadin me to go home
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him til he cried out in his anger and his shame I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains Yes he still remains
Some back then took up boxing to get a little money but it mostly led to being knocked around badly. Young ones today would struggle to understand the times and difficult conditions they had. It wasn't that long ago either.
No comments:
Post a Comment