Paul Simon - Duncan Lyrics






Couple in the next room
Bound to win a prize
They've been going at it all night long
Well, I'm trying to get some sleep
But these motel walls are cheap
Lincoln Duncan is my name
And here's my song, here's my song.

My father was a fisherman
My mama was the fisherman's friend
And I was born in the boredom
And the chowder
So when I reached my prime
I left my home in the Maritimes
Headed down the turnpike for
New England, sweet New England

Holes In my confidence
Holes In the knees of my jeans
I was left without a penny in my pocket
Oo-we I was about destituted
As a kid could be
And I wished I wore a ring
So I could hock it, I'd like to hock it.

A young girl in a parking lot
Was preaching to a crowd
Singing sacred songs and reading
From the Bible
Well, I told her I was lost
And she told me all about the Pentecost
And I seen that girl as the road
To my survival

Just later on the very same night
When I crept to her tent with a flashlight
And my long years of innocence ended
Well, she took me to the woods
Saying here comes something and it feels so good
And just like a dog I was befriended, I was befriended.

Oh, oh, what a night
Oh what a garden of delight
Even now that sweet memory lingers
I was playing my guitar
Lying underneath the stars
Just thanking the Lord
For my fingers,
For my fingers





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Paul Simon Duncan Comments
  1. B.... S....

    Great song, I think the flute s are terrific

  2. R.... C....

    As much a fable as a song. An American anecdote ....... thanks to a touch of instrumentals from Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador. Still steadfast in the Maine-to-New Jersey in terms of geographic base. Since I attended The Lawrenceville School, NJ 1973 to 1976 -- its a dash of youthful exuberance. Rings true. Wow! * Cav *

  3. P.... E....

    Bulmak için 2 yıl uğraştım. Abim pek bir severdi...

  4. K.... M....

    Türkçe çevirisi elinde olan?

  5. t.... m....

    I heard this in 7th grade on an 8-track tape driving around with my big brother in his Ford Ranchero. It changed everything for me, just knowing that things like this existed in the world.

    t.... m....

    very well said, thank you

  6. V.... H....

    Paul simon is great.

  7. j.... p....

    hermoso tema

  8. R.... T....

    I am sobbing.

  9. R.... T....

    This song triggers me. One day I will know why. My favorite artist.

    R.... T....

    Ryan - I think I may know why. The Peruvian panflute adds an ancient, simple, mournful sound to this song. Simon always had a special ability with a Latin riff.

  10. H.... E....

    Un hermoso recuerdo de su vivencia en Cusco Peru. Hablamos de la década de los 80.

  11. V.... S....

    a remimder of home

  12. S.... H....

    What a beautiful song written by the greatest song writer in all time!!

    S.... H....

    ONE of the greatest for sure....Certainly in the top 5

  13. R.... C....

    This brings me back to New Jersey from 1973 to 1976. The Lawrenceville School -- between Princeton & Trenton. "The Garden State" -- sweet, open-to-wonder, fun, even a bit serious. Classes no larger than 10 guys -- except for a few lectures in the 5th Form. House sports, decent meals, a golf course, a dozen tennis courts, a chapel, & Instructors who care about you. Spring flowering trees; maybe a trip to Philly and/or New York; tunes in our dorms ........! If you were there -- you can understand. Great times ~ so thanks to my Parents (both gone now; not forgotten!). * Cav ~ L'ville, NJ Class of 19876! *

  14. H.... H....

    Yaklaşık 6 yıl önce galiba 7 de olabilir. Morgan Freeman ın ekspres kasa filminde dinlemiştim. Hala dinlerim

  15. T.... M....

    Lots of "befriending" in this song!

  16. R.... C....

    This reminds me of my days & nights at Lawrenceville School, NJ from 1973 to 1976.  Relatively innocent; New Jersey; new friends; charms of mid-Atlantic; studies; sports; dances with girls; trips to Princeton; visits to New York City & Philly; tasty-cakes; nearly got killed by lightning, etc.  Graduated & flew back to S.F., CA.  * Cav ~ L'76! *

  17. a.... ....

    .'.just thanking the lord for my fingers' : what a great line.

  18. �.... �....

    Holes in my confidence, holes in the knees of my jeans...love it!

  19. M.... H....

    One of Paul simons best songs

  20. p.... p....

    Couple in the next room bound to win a prize
    They've been going at it all night long
    Well, I'm tryin' to get some sleep
    But these motel walls are cheap
    Lincoln Duncan is my name
    And here's my song, here's my song

    My father was a fisherman
    My mama was a fisherman's friend
    And I was born in the boredom and the chowder
    So when I reached my prime
    I left my home in the Maritimes
    Headed down the turnpike for New England, sweet New England

    Holes in my confidence
    Holes in the knees of my jeans
    I was left without a penny in my pocket 
    Ooh-oowee, I was about as destituted as a kid could be
    And I wished I wore a ring so I could hock it 
    I'd like to hock it

    A young girl in a parkin' lot
    Was preaching to a crowd
    Singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
    Well, I told her I was lost
    And she told all about the Pentecost
    And I seen that girl as the road to my survival

    I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know

    Just later on the very same night
    When I crept to her tent with a flashlight
    And my long years of innocence ended
    Well, she took me to the woods
    Sayin' "Here comes something, and it feels so good!"
    And just like a dog I was befriended, I was befriended

    Oh, oh, what a night
    Oh, what a garden of delight 
    Even now that sweet memory lingers
    I was playing my guitar
    Lyin' underneath the stars
    Just thankin' the Lord
    For my fingers
    For my fingers

    I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know

  21. T.... ....

    This is the prettiest song about a street kid losing his virginity to a Baptist honeypot chick out in the scrub

  22. K.... U....

    Uzaklara gitmek için dinlemeyi sevdiğim ender parçalardan biri. ilk Morgan Freeman ekspres kasa filminde dinlemiştim seviyorum.

    K.... U....

    Bende :) türkçe çevirisi var nıdır elinde?

  23. E.... Y....

    Such a fucking hard timeless fucking hard deep masterpiece...i never get tired of it..

  24. �.... ....

    I have several #RateMyPaulSimon vinyl records...I have this one..Everybody was into Paul Simon after high school. Everybody wanted to talk about Paul Simon. This is #Duncan...couple in the next room bound to win a prize..they've been going at it all night long..that was youth..listening to Paul Simon in extreme detail..too much Paul Simon...#musthavenolife #DUNCAN

    �.... ....

    thanks for saying.

  25. �.... E....

    Hi from Turkey ! 2019

  26. A.... S....

    Google may be a "toxic" robot .

  27. Y.... K....

    Is this a vinyl rip?

  28. A.... M....

    An absolutely class songwriter.

  29. Y.... G....

    Great imagery

  30. j.... ....

    Duncan got some stank on his hangdown in the tent.

  31. R.... H....

    Sitting in the barracks in Giebelstadt, Germany. 1978

  32. l.... d....

    Love the song saw you & art cotton bowl dallas in 83 thanks for the great music paul peace😐

  33. R.... G....

    This song makes me sad and homesick. I miss New England so much.

  34. a.... s....

    me gusta duncan lo escucho muchas veces durante el dia

  35. N.... H....

    great song---great lyrics---the pipes are icing on the cake--so much imagery---wow----lesser known song too

  36. p.... g....

    This man is a poet of the highest order.

  37. P.... ....

    Beautifull, beautifull song! But what about those 37 thumbs down? Bunch of idiots!

  38. O.... M....

    Setiembre 1972, habia terminado mi carrera como ingeniero , vivia con mis oadres y hermanos , antes de partir a Lima , escuche esa cancion con mucha atencion,esa tarde antes de embarcarme al pasar los años , esta cancion marco mi rumbo, la letra dixce algo similar , cuando alguien se va de casa a una guerra a una batalla por la suoervivencia , como el espartano se despedia ante su madre quien le daba el escudo y le decia vuelven con el escudo o sobre el , pero hay que ir a lucha diaria en las labores para lo cual uno se formo, han pasado los años y siempre fui GANADOR y si algun dia flaqueo , escucho esta musica que me levanta el espiritu y fortalece mi alma, he pasado por muchas tempestades como Ulises en su Odisea e hice las tareas mas dificiles como Hercules , pasaron los años aqui estoy ganador, hoy jubilado como Ingeniero , pero sigo laborando en los mercados bursatiles, hasta el dia de hoy me acompaño toda esa experiencia de solucionar pequeños problemas antes que se hagan GRANDES (PREVENSION) LA PERSEVERANCIA , LA CREENCIA Y LA PACIENCIA TIENEN PREMIO EN ESTA VIDA , PASAJERA mucha gente la llama suerte mas no es asi , cada dia se hace algo la suma de estas acciones es el exito, pero solo se logra cuando uno tiene objetivos y metas claras y mantener el rumbo a traves de la lenea irreversible del tiempo se llega se llega a buen puerto

  39. G.... K....

    I'm here cuz I heard that song in 10 items or less

  40. K.... G....

    Alayını

  41. j.... w....

    A definite classic! I wished I wore a ring so I could hock it, I'd like to hock it!

  42. J.... G....

    Lincoln Duncan was my alias for many of years. Lol 😉😀👍

  43. f.... j....

    Very very god

  44. E.... P....

    Hermoso huaynito compuesto y cantado por Paul Simon acompañados por el grupo cusqueño Urubamba.

    E.... P....

    Muy bonito tema me recuerda a mi hemano, me tenia loco con esa cancion todas las noches en el dormitotio

    E.... P....

    Gracias para esa informacion !

  45. T.... P....

    a song billy joel wishes he could write

  46. n.... w....

    What a gorgeous song from one of our greatest singer /songwriters. I remember buying the Paul Simon album in '73. Please listen to the song " Lost Love the writers". Thank you.https://youtu.be/hR8KvCB6IAs

  47. g.... s....

    Lost and drifting in youth could be such enchantment. Great song.

  48. C.... S....

    H.M. de Visser
    H.M. de Visser
    10 months ago
    Couple in the next room bound to win a prize
    They've been going at it all night long
    Well, I'm trying to get some sleep but these motel walls are cheap
    Lincoln Duncan is my name and here's my song, here's my song.

    My father was a fisherman my mama was a fisherman's friend
    and I was born in the boredom and the chowder
    So when I reached my prime I left my home in the Maritimes
    headed down the turnpike for New England, sweet New England
    Holes in my confidence holes in the knees of my jeans
    I was left without a penny in my pocket ....
    Oo-oowee, I was about as destituted as a kid could be
    and I wished I wore a ring so I could hock it ...
    I'd like to hock it

    A young girl in a parkin' lot was preaching to a crowd
    singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
    Well, I told her I was lost and she told all about the Pentecost
    and I seen that girl as the road to my survival

    Just later on the very same night when I crept to her tent with a flashlight
    and my long years of innocence ended
    well, she took me to the woods sayin' "Here comes something, and it feels so good"
    and just like a dog I was befriended, I was befriended

    Oh, oh, what a night oh, what a garden of delight ...
    Even now that sweet memory lingers
    I was playing my guitar lyin' underneath the stars
    just thankin' the Lord for my fingers for my fingers ...

    Writer(s): Paul Simon

  49. S.... V....

    Yogscast anyone?)))))

  50. J.... ....

    I imagine being on a hippie farm in the early 1970s sitting in a circle with a bunch of friends when I hear this song

  51. M.... '....

    Ik geloof zelfs dat deze enigszins te scherp hoge panfluiten er de reden van zijn dat ik dat effect altijd probeer na te bootsen in mijn zingen. De totaalromantische paniek, daar gaat het om. Mister Simon, whát a song.

  52. G.... S....

    Happy 76th birthday

  53. L.... W....

    Always reminds me of the Ryan adams --Oh My God Whatever Etc... foundation of my early HS experience

  54. B.... M....

    this song for my pop

  55. R.... C....

    Yet another brilliant musician/lyricist from the 1970s!  I can relate to this song 'cuz his opening line exactly describes my stay at a hotel in Vancouver, B.C., Canada in the early 2000s.  This tune also reminds me of good 'ol Lawrenceville School, NJ & my years there = 1973 to 1976!  (You guys know who you are!  Do 'ya still remember your 'ol bud Cav ~ L'76?!).  Based upon the recent photo of our most recent on campus reunion -- I might be "the last man standing".  Long live S & G!  Love 'em!  * Cav in OR & L'ville, NJ class of 1976!  *

  56. N.... I....

    Paul you were an inspiration

  57. P.... P....

    simplemente bella y hermosa con melodía andina y el talento del gran Paul Simon

  58. H.... d....

    Couple in the next room bound to win a prize
    They've been going at it all night long
    Well, I'm trying to get some sleep but these motel walls are cheap
    Lincoln Duncan is my name and here's my song, here's my song.

    My father was a fisherman my mama was a fisherman's friend
    and I was born in the boredom and the chowder
    So when I reached my prime I left my home in the Maritimes
    headed down the turnpike for New England, sweet New England
    Holes in my confidence holes in the knees of my jeans
    I was left without a penny in my pocket ....
    Oo-oowee, I was about as destituted as a kid could be
    and I wished I wore a ring so I could hock it ...
    I'd like to hock it

    A young girl in a parkin' lot was preaching to a crowd
    singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
    Well, I told her I was lost and she told all about the Pentecost
    and I seen that girl as the road to my survival

    Just later on the very same night when I crept to her tent with a flashlight
    and my long years of innocence ended
    well, she took me to the woods sayin' "Here comes something, and it feels so good"
    and just like a dog I was befriended, I was befriended

    Oh, oh, what a night oh, what a garden of delight ...
    Even now that sweet memory lingers
    I was playing my guitar lyin' underneath the stars
    just thankin' the Lord for my fingers for my fingers ...

    Writer(s): Paul Simon

    H.... d....

    And like most of Simon's songs, it stands as really good poetry, without the music. He's up there with Lennon and Dylan. 😎

    H.... d....

    I remember listening to this when I was a kid. Couldn't pick out all the words then. , but now since they're written right there. I can make them out. I wonder how many copies that song song?

  59. L.... B....

    The combination between tender and sarcasm is posible since this song 'happened'

  60. N.... E....

    Tempo off this upload is completely off - odd thing is only one other person below appears to notice.

  61. S.... T....

    What a great song, lyrically and musically! This song is like a warm, fuzzy, and soft blanket for me. I grew up listening to Paul Simon and it's been a pleasure! Thanks for the memories!

  62. C.... S....

    💜 the lyrics and music x

  63. S.... C....

    Oh, oh what a night, what a garden of delight, even now that sweet memory still lingers...such beautiful writing.

  64. J.... H....

    A gorgeous tune from one of America's greatest songwriters. Period!

    J.... H....

    But you used an exclamation point.

  65. R.... C....

    Wonderful song from Paul Simon with the perfect flutes on the background.

  66. j.... g....

    simplemente hermoso tema

  67. Y.... O....

    95k views here and 19 million on u can call me al. What is wrong with the world?

    Y.... O....

    It's all beautiful. Nothing's wrong with the world when the world is listening to any one of his incredible array of tunes.

  68. g.... t....

    10 items or less with Morgan Freeman and Selma, anyone?

    g.... t....

    Paz Vega?

    g.... t....

    I love that film 😸😻

  69. C.... &....

    Just heard this for the first time a few weeks ago at his concert. What a sweet surprise!

  70. d.... ....

    This is so beautiful.

    d.... ....

    No one can sing or play Duncan like Paul Simon can

  71. l.... ....

    The band that accompanies Paul Simon called URUBAMBA, who also do the condor pasa

    l.... ....

    WRONG!
    Los INCAS

    l.... ....

    @TheRunner75 I think Urubamba performed on Duncan, Los incas performed El Condor Pasa

    l.... ....

    @David Howse No: Both songs are backed by Los Incas behind.
    https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/paul-simon/paul-simon/
    https://www.discogs.com/fr/Paul-Simon-Paul-Simon/master/97959 (see the lyrics sheet in "more images")

    l.... ....

    @TheRunner75 I stand corrected.

    l.... ....

    I checked a bit further...there are further references to Paul Simon and Urubamba. Where the confusion comes from is that I think Urubamba performed on the "Live Rhyming" album, and Urubamba are Los Incas renamed.
    Wikipedia
    "Los Incas, also known as Urubamba, are an Andean folk music group formed in Paris in 1956. Argentinian musician Jorge Milchberg (born 5 September 1928) is credited as the founder of Los Incas (as "El Inca", later known as Urubamba).[citation needed]

    They are best known in North America for accompanying Simon and Garfunkel on the song "El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)" written by Daniel Alomía Robles, Paul Simon and Jorge Milchberg included on the duo's fifth album, Bridge Over Troubled Water.

    Later on, they provided accompaniment on "Duncan", featured on Simon's first solo album Paul Simon, and toured with Simon (as Urubamba) in the early seventies, appearing on the Live Rhymin' album and releasing a pair of albums under their new name. In later years, they reverted to their original name of Los Incas and released several more albums on the French Buda Records label."

  72. D.... H....

    This and The Boxer are among his absolute best. And then, of course, there's Dangling Conversation, and on and on. Where/why did he take the wrong turn with You Can Call Me Al, et al? I just can't listen to his "world music" stuff, having grown up with his genius.

    D.... H....

    +David Hughes
    I actually prefer Graceland; it keeps my interest, whereas the album is mostly boring to me.

    D.... H....

    I always liked hearts & bones over graceland. at the time, they always talked about graceland being critically acclaimed. I always felt hearts & bones was so much better.

    D.... H....

    I read/heard an interview somewhere that Simon didn't actually dig that folk style he did with Garfunkel. The more upbeat world music was what really interested him.

    In another interview, he said that he does whatever style that interests him at the moment. That's how he gets the variety of music throughout his career. Every album has a uniqueness.

    D.... H....

    "I just can't listen to his 'world music' stuff, having grown up with his genius." So you don't like "El Condor Pasa" or "Me And Julio"? How is "Graceland" not his genius?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9M4XJXnCcw

    D.... H....

    David Hughs - - - yes , I dearly love Paul's earlier work, and wore out my vinyl records.
    But an artist needs to grow!
    Paul created 'Graceland' 20 years later, and it is ALSO Genius!
    He brought us Peruvian flutes, he brought us African rhythms. Who else has gotten such magnificent diversity into the American musical landscape?

  73. R.... C....

    When you're a Lawrenceville School, NJ alumnus like your's truly -- this tune (& others by S & G) ring so TRUE!  A mosaic of musical talent endures!  We are so lucky to have been able to soak all these wonderful songs up!  * Cav ~ "L'ville's Spirit of '76!"  10/20/15.

  74. R.... D....

    Paul,where did that hat come from?

    R.... D....

    It's obviously a hood

    R.... D....

    funnier still that you're asking Paul Simon direct questions on a youtube clip of one of his songs.

  75. R.... D....

    Lincoln Duncan...Hmm

  76. R.... W....

    They dont come any better than Paul Simon

    R.... W....

    +Deli Cheese Thank you !!! However I only recognized 4 names. That doesn't mean anything, most of us only know performing artists. The other names may be common for those who follow "insider" information but the general public wouldn't have a clue. Thanks for the info I will look up these names.:o)

    R.... W....

    @Tonithenightowl
    Glad you appreciated the list. Keep me posted; let me know if you dig any of them.

    R.... W....

    +Deli Cheese Will do but it's gonna take a while lol That's quite the list.:o)

    R.... W....

    "Plus he could SING." Simon (1) sings great, (2) plays an instrument great, (3) writes great lyrics, and (4) writes great music. That's true of almost no one in that list above, or of Elton John, who isn't a great lyricist.

    R.... W....

    Imo there are a lot of people who can do all four, such as Elvis Costello and Willie Nelson.

  77. S.... J....

    Kyllä siinä hullussa nuoruudessa oli sittenkin jotain hyvää...tämä biisi on osoitus siitä...

  78. H.... A....

    Esta hermosa melodía me transporta a mi lejana niñez.

  79. S.... H....

    Perhaps, along with Lennon and McCartney, Paul Simon is the greatest song writer of the 20th century!!!

            Cheers -  Mike

    S.... H....

    @Bob Pandoli I would argue that her influence is just as profound. The run of albums she put out between 1970-76 is unparalleled in its quality and innovation and her work has influenced countless artists across different mediums. Has anyone ever recorded a break-up album that cuts as deep as Blue?

    S.... H....

    @Dallas Jokic . You may argue if that is your desire but I would rather not argue. I am close to 70 years old and go back to the late 50's in terms of Music and all I am saying is that Joni Mitchell is influential to very few folks left in this world. The Beatles on the other hand are still known and famous even to the youth of today. The Beatles basically put out the same number of albums in their 7 to 8 years recording together as Joni put out in over 30 years...Joni has ONE number one hit in her 30 plus years of recording. The Beatles have 20 number one hits in less than 8 years. Go to your local mall and ask the first 100 people that pass you by if they heard of the Beatles and then ask them if they heard of Joni Mitchell......I will honestly say that at least 80 percent if not more will say yes to the Beatles and perhaps 2 percent will say yes to Joni Mitchell....I am not putting her down, but personally she did nothing for me in terms of being influential.........The Beatles are timeless, Simon and Garfunkel are timeless, Queen is timeless. Just to name a few. Joni Mitchell is NOT, sorry to say. Again, as stated in my initial reply to. your comment, Joni Mitchell is not even close to being in the same class as Lennon/McCartney and Paul Simon.

    S.... H....

    @Mike Rubinate They're all amazing. Competition sucks ☺

    S.... H....

    It's like comparing Bach with Beethoven.

    S.... H....

    Willie Nelson belongs up there, too. Anyone who writes a song about saying hello to the walls and ceiling of a room has my vote.

  80. F.... B....

    Is this version slowed down or anything? It completely lost it vibe...

  81. A.... K....

    Long time since i played this 1 what a gem

  82. p.... ....

    I's about as destituted as a kid could be.

  83. c.... m....

    Maritime, left without  penny in my pocket............

  84. D.... ....

    "Thanking the lord for my fingers" LOL!

  85. E.... ....

    What a masterpiece. "My father was a fisherman, my mother was a fisherman's friend." Sigh... I wish my name was Paul Simon Duncan.

  86. k.... ....

    10 things or less top song

  87. W.... ....

    What a beautiful song this is, by the great Paul Simon.

  88. A.... R....

    Classic.