This is my second stab at the blogging challenge called Song Lyric Sunday. This week the theme is to find a song that carries a message of empowerment.
The first song that came to mind was Simon and Garfunkel’s The Boxer. I won’t post all the lyrics but would encourage you to listen to the song. It’s the story of young man leaving and essentially being beat up by the world, squandering what little he had, longing to go home. The final verse is this picture of hope:
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 till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
“I am leaving, I am leaving”
But the fighter still remains
The fighter still remains.
Perseverance. Grit. Sticktoittiveness. Tenacity. Call it what you want. It’s an empowering picture.
Honestly, I’m not a fan of boxing. It seems a poor way to settle anything. I found this photo of my father the other day, though, boxing with his brother at a summer camp where they worked. I’m throwing it in just because.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
I love this song and its strong message. Only Paul Simon could convey it so poetically. ☺️
I think he’s one of the all-time great songwriters.
Completely agree Sally ☺️
Perfect choice! I’m singing along with gleeful abandon. 🎶 I am leaving I am leaving but the fighter still remains 🎶
Can’t go wrong with a classic song like this one. And adding that family pic was a stroke of genius, Salle. Nicely done.
Thanks for sharing your music again, Sally. Simon and Garfunkel’s song The Boxer is a story of human endurance, where a man refuses to give up when faced with poverty, loneliness, and the harsh realities of the city, standing his ground and taking his licks.
boxing is weird right? so much history. not a fan, brutal, but I always admired Ali as a man.
I’ve never been a fan of boxing, but my father took my mother to a boxing match on one of their first dates. She still married him — and I think he got too busy with family and career to follow boxing after that.