What Makes a Man

broadway production (2015)

"what makes a man" is a song from the musical 'allegiance' performed by telly leung (sammy).

don't fight the storm he said
and now look where we are
bending and cowering
can only get you so far
he tells me to make myself useful
and do our family proud
well how the hell am i supposed to be useful
when being myself's not alllowed

he clings to tradition
afraid to try something new
"we don't call attention
we think" but we never do
he wants me to follow blindly
he wants me to keep my mouth shut
but i swear from this day forward
i am going with my gut

what makes a man is his clarity
when he listens to his heart
what makes a man is his bravery
when he plays a bigger part
what makes a man is what he makes of himself
when he's giving it all he can
i must be my own man

it's time we took action
and found a way out of this place
i'll set an example
help others to see beyond race
and though my face resembles
our enemies in war
i am still american
nothing less and nothing more

i'll never be a scholar
much as pop wants me to be
and i'm not some nameless body in a crowd
if pop would only see
the soldier i could be
i'll finally find a way to make him proud
i'll finally find a way to make me proud

what makes a man is his dignity
when he stands for what is right
what makes a man is his loyalty
when he fight's his nation's fight
what makes a man is what he makes of himself
when he's giving it all he can
for all our sakes
i'll do what it takes
i must be my own man



Credits
Writer(s): Wayne Anthony Hector, Steve (gb) Mac
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

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