Advanced Choice Songwriting: “What Does Truly Make A Man” By Ari

You are the Man, Ari

Tell Me What Truly Makes A Man

Tell me, tell me oh my mother what does truly make a man?
Is it what you’ve always taught me, or completely something else.

I was taught to be so proper and to never raise my voice.
I was taught to be real quiet and always to obey.

I was taught to serve you blindly, and I learned that super well.
I was taught to not show anger, and to never risk a thing.

Dad was distant and polite, working hard to feed us all.
So I thought that was the answer to what truly makes a man.

Tell me, tell me oh my mother what does truly make a man?
Is obedience and politeness the right way for me to go?

But through punishment and ire I did all you asked of me.
Dad was always in his work and you mom around the house.

So protective, overbearing, I could so kill you at times.
All I heard from you most times what was good and what was not.

I should be mommy’s helpless innocent proper good boy.
Working hard and never doubting that this path is right for me.

Tell me, tell me oh my mother, does this truly make a man?
To be seen but never heard of, to be safe and scared away?

I could see some men around me, full of bluster and pazzaz. 
Living lives I only dreamed of, full of fun and wild desires.

But I chose instead to listen to the things you asked of me.
But I got no guidance ever about what to do with girls.

Twenty years and still a virgin, masturbating in my room.
Full of fear and obligations, no adventures in my life. 

Tell me, tell me oh my mother what does truly make a man?
What would please you and astound you? What would make you feel him there?

Should I find myself a women and provide for her a home?
Should I be at work real proper, doing all I have to do?

No emotion no affection, no adventure in my life.
Doing things without no passion, being proper and discreet. 

Tell me, tell me oh my mother what does truly make a man?
Would my women then desire me, make me happy and secure?

If I did all that you taught me, would I be a man at last?
Now my heart rebels against you, I don’t want another lie

Let me tell you oh my mother what does truly make a man.
Not my dad that you rejected, and you made me just the same.

Let me tell you oh my mother what does truly make a man.
What you dared not even dream of, and you totally missed out.

One that’s silly with affection, and his heart is bubbling out.
One that dares to be improper, his priorities intact.

One who lives his life the fullest, and adventure is his name.
One who feels with all his presence, and reminds you you are one. 

One who stands-strong right beside you, and incites in you some fun. 
One who holds you and beholds you, one who looks at you with love.

One who makes you laugh and sizzle, and reminds you that you are,
Princess in his heart forever, dragons killed and towers climbed.

Let me tell you oh my mother, what does truly make a man.
What would wake you and excite you to a life that is so cool.

Let me tell you oh my mother that’s the man I’m gonna be.
And I live a life of passion, loud and daring as can be!

I would climb the highest mountains, and i’ll do more crazy shit.
I will laugh and show my feelings, I will sing ecstatically! 

I won't care for things that matter, but for things that concern me.
I will walk on paths untrodden, and make men to follow me.

Maybe then I will remind you of a girls dreams swept away.
Of the things that you imagined when you were young and afraid. 

Let me tell you oh my mother what does truly make a man.
Is the man that is before you giving answers you can’t see.

It’s the man that tells you clearly what a life’s supposed to be. 
I will show you oh my mother what does truly make a man!