When he was a little boy

His father used to say,

"You want to grow to be a man?

You'd better start today"



Listen closely to my words

And I will show you how

There're seven steps to manhood

And I'll teach them to you now



The only thing you'll ever own

Is what you hold inside

Your dignity, intelligence

Your loyalty and pride



Ego and indifference

Are cancers of the weak

Honesty is godliness

Be truthful when you speak



If you want to be remembered

When your earthly life is through

Then teach your sons to leave their mark

On everything they do



Know when to turn the other cheek

Know when to seek revenge

The vine that never picks a side

Dies rotting on the fence



Son, you wanna grow up

Think you ought to slow up

I see disaster in everything you do



Dad, when I grow up

Things are gonna blow up

I'm gonna be a man just like you



When the son became a father

Then he told his children, too

"Be mindful of the things I say

And not the things I do"



It's very hard to be the man

You read about in books

The knights and kings you fantasized

Now commoners and crooks



But no one can imprison

And educated mind

So be yourself and free yourself

By learning all the time



If you should discover

You've given all you can

There's nothing more to answer for

That's how to be a man



Son, you wanna grow up

Think you ought to slow up

I see disaster in everything you do



Dad, when I grow up

Things are gonna blow up

I'm gonna be a man just like you