[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
When I left my home and 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

[Refrain]
La la li
La la la la li la li
La la li
La la la la la la li la la la li

[Verse 3]
Asking only workman's wages, I come looking for a job
But I get no offers, just a come-on from some bitch on 7th Avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there, la la la la la la

[Refrain]
La la li
La la la la li la li
La la li
La la la la la la li la la la li

[Bridge]
Well, 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

[Verse 4]
In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down
And cut him 'til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains
La la la la la la la la la li

[Refrain]
La la li
La la la la li la li
La la li
La la la la la la li la la la li

[Refrain]
La la li
La la la la li la li
La la li
La la la la la la li la la la li