Why Can’t a Man Stand Alone? Elvis Costello

[Verse 1]
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 your heart to begin with
Why can't a man stand alone?

[Verse 2]
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?

[Bridge]
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