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
Hm ....

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
Lookin' for the places
Only they would know

Lie la lie - lie la la la la la lie
Lie la lie - lie la la la la la lie - la la la la lie

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
La la la ....

Lie la lie - lie la la la la la lie
Lie la lie - lie la la la lie la lie - la la la la lie

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
Hm

Lie la lie - lie la la la la la lie
Lie la lie - lie la la la lie la lie - la la la la lie

Lie la la la la la lie lie la lie
Lie la la la lie la lie - la la la la lie