C Am
I am just a poor boy, though my story’s seldom told,
G F
I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such
C
are promises.
Am G F
All lies in jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and
C G F G C
Dis-regards the rest, ummmm
C Am
When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
G Dm C
In the company of strangers, in the quiet of the railway station
Am C F
Running scared, laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
G F Em
Where the ragged people go, looking for the places only they
C
would know.
C Am G Am
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie, lie la lie,
G F G C
Lie la lie la la la la lie la la la la lie.
C Am
Asking only workman’s wages, I come looking for a job
G Dm C
But I get no of-fers, just a come-on from the whores on 7th Avenue
Am Dm G F
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
C G
I took some comfort there__ Ooo-la – la__ la__la la la__
C G7 C Am
Then I’m laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone
G Dm G7 G C
Going home, where the New York City winters are-n’t bleeding me
Em Am G C
Leading me, going home
C Am
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade,
G G7 C
And he carries the reminders of every glove that’s laid him down
Dm G7 C Am
Or cut him till he cried__ out in his anger and his shame
G F C
“I am leaving, I am leaving.” But the fighter still remains
G C G F C Am
Lie-la lie,
Am G Am
Lie-la lie-la lie-la lie lie-la-lie
G F C
Lie-la lie la la la la – lie.
Am G Am
Lie-la lie-la lie-la lie lie-la-lie
G F C
Lie-la lie la la la la – lie.