Anything that praises a beaten fighter's unbowed heart and spirit will always get a five from me, but then you already know that. I am so predictable! I am just a poor boy. Though my story's seldom told, I have squandered my resistance For a pocketful of mumbles, Such are promises All lies and jest Still, a man hears what he wants to hear And disregards the rest. 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, Running scared, Laying low, Seeking out the poorer quarters Where the ragged people go, Looking for the places Only they would know. Asking only workman's wages I come looking for a job, But I get no offers. Just a come-on from the whores On Seventh Avenue I do declare, There were times when I was so lonesome I took some comfort there. Then I'm laying out my winter clothes And wishing I was gone Going home Where the New York City winters Aren't bleeding me, Leading me, Going home. In the clearing stands a boxer, And a fighter by his trade And he carries the reminders Of ev'ry glove that laid him down Or cut him till he cried out In his anger and his shame, "I am leaving, I am leaving." But the fighter still remains

Intersting fact, the echoy, booming effect in the chorus of the song was made by opening up a door to the elevator at the recording studio and putting a drum at the bottom of the elevator shaft and a microphone at the top.  Then they  dropped veteren Brill Building songwriter Neil Diamond down the elevator shaft onto the drum.

Oscar thinks this may be their best song, and its hard to disagree with that.  Simon's lyrics are impeccable here and once heard the song can't be forgotten.

ARGUABLY their best song of all.

I've always found this song to be quite sad. A man stands alone and carries the mark of every battle he has fought in his life.