To Be a Man

© Lydia Lord

What does it mean to be a man?
It doesn’t mean you always must be strong
It doesn’t mean you never can be wrong
It means you do the best you can

Since I was young the rules have changed
I learned that I was not supposed to lose
I didn’t understand that I could choose
I though it all was prearranged

I knew I’d grow up and find a girl to be my wife
And I’d be strong and she’d look up to me
I’d work to feed our family the rest of my life
And if I was afraid
I’d never let her see

Now looking back, I realize
The answers that they gave me weren’t all true
I didn’t have to act as if I knew
I’m looking back with wiser eyes

It’s OK to accept yourself exactly as you are
Success does not mean winning every time
Relaxing and enjoying life will help you travel far
And if you need to cry
It’s really not a crime

What does it mean to be a man?
It doesn’t mean you always must be strong
It doesn’t mean you never can be wrong
It means you do the best you can