When you become a man
The world is eager to tell you so
Although those days of climbing trees and ABCs
Don’t seem so long ago

Swing, swing up to the sky
Mind the Sun don’t get in your eye
Wash your hands, it’s time for bed
Shoot the bad man
Bang, he’s dead

When you become a man
You're just a boy who wants bigger toys
Your toys are things like pretty girls with teeth like pearls
Instead of toy cowboys

Get up, daddy, play with the ball
Please, may I walk on that wall?
Let me jump, I know that I can
But when will I become a man?

But when you're a man you must fight for success
It doesn’t come easy, you’ll have to confess
You ask yourself why, what is it all for?
Until you fall in love, then you’ll fight even more

But when you become a man
Those bachelor days soon hurry by
They fly those days of taking hearts and breaking hearts
With a very fast goodbye

Come to me baby, turn down the light
You’re gonna learn the meaning of sin tonight
Since I’ve met you I’ve never been the same
And by the way, what’s your second name?

When you become a man
You’ll want a son named after you
So you’ve got to take a wife
And build a life before your days are through

Wash the kids, they’re in a mess
Look at his knees, would you look at her dress?
And why do they scream and fight all day through?
When I was a kid, when I was a kid
I was just like them too

When you become a man
You’ll lead the way for them to follow you
You’ll try to make their dreams come true
But you will want to do all that you can
When you become a man