I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocket full of mumbles such are promises
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And if he's got a penny,
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 a railway station
Running scared,
laying low Seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go I was looking
for the places only they would know
La la lai,
la la lai la lai, la la lai
La la lai, la la lai la lai, la la lai
Asking only workman's wages I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come on from the whores on 7th Avenue
I do declare There were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there
La la lai,
la la lai la lai,
la la lai La la lai,
la la lai la lai,
la la lai
In
the clear room stands a boxer And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders Of every glove that laid him down
And cut him till he cried out In his anger and his shame
I am leaving,
I'm leaving But the fighter still remains
La la lai,
la la lai la lai, la la lai