I was born in the city hospital

Torn from darkness into the light

First man I saw was the first to hit me

First woman I saw said hush don't cry.



I played with girls till I was six years old

Guys told me you don't want no girl a friend

You can kiss em you can touch em

When you screw em you'll be a man.



Every man gonna be a soldier

Every man be cut to kill

Every man looking over his shoulder

Every man be shaking still.



I played war, king of the mountain

When I hurt I did not cry kids'd laugh

Big guy hit me hot fire in the stomach

I hit a little guy put him on his back.



Mike and me eight-year-old cowboys

He said c'mon whatsa matter you a queer

We went to Molly's pulled her down and kissed her

She got up walked inside without a word.



Every man gonna be a soldier

Every man be cut to kill

Every man looking over his shoulder

Every man be shaking still.



Came the war to my generation

Government said son it's your time make us proud

Some went to jail some went to Canada

Some went over some went crazy some went down.



I walk the streets jagged with strangers

Wait for the gauntlet to be hurled

Push to shove edge of a razor

Make something of it he'll cut you good.



Every man gonna be a soldier

Every man be cut to kill

Every man looking over his shoulder

Every man be shaking still.



I have killed but I am not a killer

I have cried out at the devil in the dark

I have reached out through the bars of my confinement

I have watched the tower I built fall apart.



Gonna listen for the breathing of the baby

Gonna hold him in my arms when he cries

Gonna meet my lover's gaze without turning

Gonna see myself and be satisfied.



Every man got love abiding

Every man got a hurt unhealed

Every man got a heart in hiding

Every man gonna be revealed