NICK DRAKE – A Poor Boy (1972)

Nick Drake’s song “Poor Boy” is a track from his third and final studio album, Pink Moon, released in 1972. The song stands out in his discography for its more dynamic instrumentation and its blues-inflected rhythm, which contrasts with the sparse, introspective tone of much of Pink Moon. The song stands out in his discography for its more dynamic instrumentation and its blues-inflected rhythm, which contrasts with the sparse, introspective tone of much of Pink Moon. It even sounds bossa nova-ish at times.The lyrics reflect a deep sense of melancholy and resignation, with lines like:

“Never sing for my supper, I never help my neighbor / Never do what is proper, for my fair share of labor.“

Drake portrays himself as an outsider, detached from societal norms, grappling with feelings of inadequacy and despair. Yet, the lyrics also convey a touch of irony and self-deprecation, adding layers to the narrative of the “poor boy.”

Never sing for my supper I never help my neighbour Never do what is proper For my fair share of labour I’m a poor boy And I’m a rover Count your coins and Throw them over my shoulder I may grow older Nobody knows How cold it grows And nobody sees How shaky my knees Nobody cares How steep my stairs And nobody smiles If I cross their stiles Oh poor boy So sorry for himself Oh poor boy So worried for his health You may say every day Where will he stay tonight Never know what I came for Seems that I’ve forgotten Never ask what I came for Or how I was begotten I’m a poor boy And I’m a ranger Things I say May seem stranger than Sunday Changing to Monday Nobody knows How cold it flows And nobody feels The worn down heels Nobody’s eyes Make the skies Nobody spreads Their aching heads Oh poor boy So worried for his life Oh poor boy So keen to take a wife He’s a mess but he’ll say yes If you just dress in white Nobody knows How cold it blows And nobody sees How shaky my knees Nobody cares How steep my stairs And nobody smiles If you cross their stiles Oh poor boy So sorry for himself Oh poor boy So worried for his health You may say every day Where will he stay tonight Oh poor boy So worried for his life Oh poor boy So keen to take a wife Oh poor boy So sorry for himself Oh poor boy So worried for his health Oh poor boy