FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Anatomy of a Song: "The Boxer" Quiz

Just how much do you know about Simon and Garfunkel's classic "The Boxer"? Pit yourself against 10 questions about the song and/or associated facts. Song #2 in the 'Anatomy' series.

A multiple-choice quiz by FussBudget. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
FussBudget

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
202,204

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
5877

Awards
Top 5% quiz!

Last 3 plays: Guest 138 (9/10), Zippy826 (10/10), Guest 72 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the first line of the song, we begin to hear the story of what type of boy? Hint

Rich Boy

Lucky boy

Small boy

Poor boy

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. In the very next line, for what does the singer "squander (his) resistance"? Hint

A pocketful of mumbles

A pocketful of blunders

A pocketful of bumbles

A pocketful of numbers

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Later in the first verse, what does "a man hear"?

"Still a man hears _______" Hint

The sound of the city

What his parents said

The sound of loneliness

What he wants to hear

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In the song's second verse, the singer is "in the company of strangers". At what location? Hint

Railroad Station

Railway Station

Bus Station

Bus Depot

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. In the third verse, it is revealed why the singer is there. It turns out he is looking for something. What is he looking for? Hint

His identity

A job

The gymnasium

His brother

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Where do the whores hang out in the song? Hint

4th Street

7th Avenue

53rd and 3rd

34th and Vine

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. How are the people who live in the "poorer quarters" described? Hint

Vagrant

Desperate

Ragged

Homeless

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In the second to last verse, the singer laments that he wishes he was going home. What city is he in when he sings this?

Answer: (Two Words)

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In the last verse of the song, what is it that the boxer "carries"? Hint

The reminders of every smart young man in town

The reminders of every glove that laid him down

The reminders of how he was shoved and pushed around

The reminders of every time they sneered and frowned

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Finally, on which album did "The Boxer" first appear? Hint

The Graduate

Bookends

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Nov 18 2024 : Guest 138: 9/10
Nov 15 2024 : Zippy826: 10/10
Nov 04 2024 : Guest 72: 7/10
Oct 23 2024 : mulder52: 8/10
Oct 22 2024 : Guest 212: 10/10
Oct 20 2024 : JOHNCzee: 9/10
Oct 18 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Oct 17 2024 : dunneville: 5/10
Oct 13 2024 : Guest 104: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the first line of the song, we begin to hear the story of what type of boy?

Answer: Poor boy

The opening line sets the scene:

"I am just a poor boy though my story's seldom told".

2. In the very next line, for what does the singer "squander (his) resistance"?

Answer: A pocketful of mumbles

We start getting into some serious imagery:

"I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises".

3. Later in the first verse, what does "a man hear"? "Still a man hears _______"

Answer: What he wants to hear

The lines in question say:

"Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest".

4. In the song's second verse, the singer is "in the company of strangers". At what location?

Answer: Railway Station

It always intrigued me that Simon and Garfunkel used the English/Australian term "Railway" rather than their own native "Railroad":

"When I left my home and my family I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of a railway station, runnin' scared"

5. In the third verse, it is revealed why the singer is there. It turns out he is looking for something. What is he looking for?

Answer: A job

"Asking only workman's wages I come lookin' for a job
But I get no offers..."

6. Where do the whores hang out in the song?

Answer: 7th Avenue

"...But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue".

7. How are the people who live in the "poorer quarters" described?

Answer: Ragged

"Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go".

8. In the second to last verse, the singer laments that he wishes he was going home. What city is he in when he sings this?

Answer: New York

Obviously, the singer is not too fussed about the cold:

"Then I'm laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone
Going home, where the New York City winters aren't bleedin' me
Leadin' me, to goin' home".

9. In the last verse of the song, what is it that the boxer "carries"?

Answer: The reminders of every glove that laid him down

"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"

10. Finally, on which album did "The Boxer" first appear?

Answer: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Explaining the origins of the song, the book "Simon And Garfunkel. Old Friends. A Dual Biography" quotes Paul Simon as saying "I think I was reading the Bible around that time. That's where I think phrases like "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".

Source: Author FussBudget

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Related Quizzes

This quiz is part of series Anatomy of a Song - Part 2:

This is part 2 of a collection of all of my "Anatomy of a Song" quizzes. They were the originals, much imitated since. I guess I should take that as a compliment!

  1. Anatomy of a Song: "Maggie May" Easier
  2. Anatomy of a Song: "Daniel" Easier
  3. Anatomy of a Song: "Sultans of Swing" Average
  4. Anatomy of a Song: "The Boxer" Easier
  5. Anatomy of a Song: "Piano Man" Easier

Referenced Topics

Music People The Bible Famous Quotes Albums New York New York City Bridges Simon and Garfunkel Paul Simon

Other Destinations

Explore Other Quizzes by FussBudget

Go to Music Q-S Quizzes

More Simon and Garfunkel Quizzes

FunTrivia Homepage