GI am just a poor boy EmThough my story's seldom told DI have squandered my resistance D7 D6 GFor a pocket full of mumbles such are promises EmAll lies and jests D CStill a man hears what he wants to hear G GAnd disregards the rest

GWhen I left my home and my family G D EmI was no more than a boy DIn the company of strangers D7 D6 GIn the quiet of the railway station running scared Em D CLaying low, seeking out the poorer quarters GWhere the ragged people go D C GLooking for the places only they would know

EmLie-la-lie DLie-la-lie la lie-la-lie EmLie la lie C GLie-la-lie la la la la lie la la la la lie

GAsking only workman's wages G D EmI come looking for a job DBut I get no offers, D7 D6 GJust a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue Em D CI do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome GI took some comfort there

GThen I'm laying out my winter clothes G D EmAnd wishing I was gone DGoing home D7 D6 GWhere the New York City winters aren't bleeding meEm DBleeding me, going home

Repeat chorus

During solo play the verse chord progression

GIn the clearing stands a boxer G D EmAnd a fighter by his trade DAnd he carries the reminders D7 D6Of ev'ry glove that layed him down GOr cut him till he cried out Em CIn his anger and his shame D C"I am leaving, I am leaving" GBut the fighter still remains

EmLie-la-lie DLie-la-lie la lie-la-lie EmLie la lie C EmLie-la-lie la la la la lie la la la la lie

DLie-la-lie la lie-la-lie EmLie la lie C GLie-la-lie la la la la lie la la la la lie