Oh! To Be a Man - Paul Revere & The Raiders, Mark Lindsay

I have heard a million places

Said from knifed edged grown-up faces

We own your body eight to five, boy

Do not be late to arrive, boy

Keep your nose down to the grindstone

And I’m sure you’ll grow to be a man

As a young boy, I discovered

It was best to run for cover

Dreamin' in the weeds was liable

To get you the brush and bible

Keep your mind on things we’ve proven

And I’m sure you’ll grow to be a man

(Child-hood, wild-hood, magic time to play

Long years, deep fears please don’t take my toys)

You better come home straight from school

'Cause if you break your parents rule

There’ll be no food, no television

And dare you question their decision

Forty whacks when father gets home

And I’m sure you’ll grow to be a man

I left home when I was fifteen

And a million things I have seen

But I’ve found no happy men

They all want to be boys again

And never hear their parents say:

«Watch me and you will grow to be a man»

(Child-hood, wild-hood, no more time to play)