Does the bustle of big cities
hold the keys to making men?
Or are they made by tools and toil
and honest daily man?
I was told once only battle
could save me
from my own worthlessness
Yeah my generation
needed it some death
Oh, you ain't a man, he said,
until you've dealt
some death.
But I've seen daylight shine near twice
as bright in the eyes of younger men.
And that brightness turned
to blackest coal
when fixed to bitter ends.
Only mothers see the darkening
of heart and temperament.
And in silence do they grieve
This is how my faith
came to be shattered
in these troubled times
While others drew theirs closer,
sure a favor in God's eyes
On a sick wind I've watched prayers ascend,
bereft of holy light.
Finding homes among the hopeless,
filling hollow insides.
Singing hallelujah, brothers,
God is on our side.
So if your spirit is unwilling
an d your flesh feels old and weak,
but you speak such words
of righteousness,
your voice doth shake the trees,
well think about it, brother,
who would teach you these things?
Oh, an d what a God of love
have you on your knees?
Now tell me
What side are you on
and in what do you believe?
So does the bustle of big cities
hold the keys to making men?
Or are they made by tools and toil
and honest day demands?
I was told once only battle
could save me
from my own worthlessness
Yeah, my generation
needed it some death
You ain't a man, he said
You ain't a man, he said
No, you ain't a man, he said,
until you've dealt some death