[Verse 1]
I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
And 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 (Hmm hmm)

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie, la la lie la lie

[Verse 3]
Asking only workman's wages
I've come lookin' 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 (Hmm mmm, hmm)
[Chorus]
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie, la la lie la lie

[Verse 4]
And 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
To go home

[Verse 5]
In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him 'til he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains
Yes, still remains

[Chorus]
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie, la la lie la lie