Harry Chapin

Manhood

Harry Chapin


I was laughing horizontally
In my loose and lusty youth
I was feeling well self-satisfied
Deliciously uncouth
When she slipped out from my covers
With a smile
Saying, "you've got a lot to learn, dear boy
It's going to take a while."

She said--
Manhood--means that you should
Get someone else, beside yourself
Feeling good
You know a real man would
Do much more than you could
You know he'd wonder if he
Understood me!
I said, "i see, let's start again."
She said, "you know you never can."

She put her clothes back on
She straightened up my bed
She hit me with a line
The still does numbers on my head
She says, "your mind chooses better
Than your hands do
Your heart chooses better
Than your glands do!"

She said--
Manhood--means that you should
Get someone else, beside yourself
Feeling good
You know a real man would
Do much more than you could
You know he'd wonder if he
Understood me!
I said, "i see, let's start again."
She said, "you know you never can."

So i stood there in my shorts
Feeling naked just the same
With her last few words
I knew i was brand new at the game
She gave her gentle smile
She slipped out through the door
Saying, "you're my first and only love
Just like all my lvoes before."

She said--
Manhood--means that you should
Get someone else, beside yourself
Feeling good
You know a real man would
Do much more than you could
You know he'd wonder if he
Understood me!
I said, "i see, let's start again."
She said, "you know you never can."