The Boxer

Now the years are rolling by me

They are rocking evenly

And I am older than I once was

And younger than I'll be, but that's not unusual.

No, it isn't strange

After changes upon changes

We are more or less the same

After changes we are more or less the same

"The Boxer was a really nice record. I like to listen to that record. I think I was reading the Bible around that time. That's where I think phrases such as 'workman's wages' came from, and 'seeking out the poorer quarters'. That was biblical. I think the song was about me: everybody's beating me up, and I'm telling you now I'm going to go away if you don't stop." – Paul Simon {Link without Title}

"I didn't have any words! Then people said it was 'lie' but I didn't really mean that. That it was a lie. But, it's not a failure of songwriting, because people like that and they put enough meaning into it, and the rest of the song has enough power and emotion, I guess, to make it go, so it's all right. But for me, every time I sing that part... I'm a little embarrassed." – Paul Simon [http://www.ckk.chalmers.se/guitar/the.boxer.html

• "The Boxer" is written in B Major, but due to tape-speed variation, sounds about a quarter of a half-step closer to C Major.


• "The Boxer" was translated into Greek by Billy Kazoulis as "Ο Πυγμάχος" ("O Pygmakhos / The Boxer").


• "The Boxer" was translated into Hebrew by the Israeli duo "Pavarim"


• Legendary drummer Hal Blaine created the huge drum sound during the chorus by banging a heavy chain against the concrete floor of an empty storage closet.


• The song took over 100 hours to record. Locations included Nashville, St. Paul's church in NYC, and Columbia studios.