Griffe:

1.  Strophe:
C                                                                       Am
I am just a poor boy. Though my story's seldom told.
           G
I have squandered my resustance for a pocket ful of mumbles,
               C
Such are promises.
                  Am         G                          F
All lies and jest still a man hears what he wants to hear,
                               C
And disregardes the rest.
                                                                                  Am
When I left my home and family I was no more than a boy.
          G                                       G7
In the company of strangers in the quiet of a
                        C
Railway station running scared.
           Am              G                    F
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
                                       C
Where the ragged people go.
              G                  F                      C
Looking for the places only they would know.

Refrain:
C       Am        G                           Am
Lie la lie, Lie la lie la lie la lie, lie la lie,
         F                G                C
Lie la lie la la la la lie la la la la lie.

2.  Strophe:
            C                                                                Am
Asking only workman's wages I come looking for a job,
         G                                                                                  C
But I get no offers, just a comeon from the whores on seventh avenue.
           Am                     G                        F
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome.
                                      C              G               F         C
But I took some comfort there. Ooolala lala lala lala lala la.
Refrain:

3.  Strophe:
              C                                                                    Am
Then I'm laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone,
          G                                                                    C
Going home where the New York City winters aren't bleeding me,
             Am           G
Leading me, Going home.
          C                                                              Am
In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade
            G
And he carries the reminders of every glove.
G                                                   C                                          Am
That laid him down or cut him till he cried out in his anger and his shame,
       Am             G                      F                C
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving!" but the fighter still remains.
Refrain: