Elvis Costello - Why Can't A Man Stand Alone? Lyrics

Why can't a man stand alone?
Must he be burdened by all that he's taught to consider his own?
His skin and his station, his kin and his crown
His flag and his nation, they just weigh him down

You know pride is a sin that we tend to forgive
But it gets hard to live
When you don't have the love in her heart to begin with
Why can't a man stand alone?

Why can't a woman be just what she seems?
Must she be tarnished by men who can only be men in their dreams?
When beauty meets ignorance, they shout in the street
Repeating their offer to each girl they meet

The respect that she needs, it isn't a gift
But it gets hard to lift yourself up
When you don't have the strength to begin with
Why can't a woman stand alone?

Why can't a baby sleep at night and dream of the time to come
And never fear the world outside, the touch of someone very near?

Why can't a man stand up?
Why can't a man stand up?
Why can't a man stand alone?