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ABOUT THIS SONG In the late 80's and early 90's there was a flurry of activity around establishing a strong Men's Movement. Various permutations showed up. Some were aligned with Robert Bly and would follow the path of Iron John. Others were influenced by Michael Meade. In San Luis Obispo, we had an organization called Support Group Network, started by Dr. Robert Simmons. It usually taught mixed groups to create and maintain their own support group. I was one of the main facilitators of the groups, leading 10 week trainings. After three years of doing this, we decided to start a men's only support group. It was successful in that it lasted for over ten years, surviving the deaths of two members, before it just lost its momentum. It was somewhere along the way that I was inspired to facilitate some men's workshops to empower men with much of what we had learned through Dr Simmons tutelage. Combining that with some of Bly's and Meade's work, I created a set of 4 workshops. It was necessary to add music to the gatherings, as I already knew the power of the song and the gift that comes from group singing. Men was one of the songs I penned and shared during this time. I was well aware of the changing norms that both sexes had to endure. One would just align with the latest and then it would change, leaving us scrambling to adjust and move in the new direction. It was endless and exhaustive. Over time it was easy to feel less than, and want to give up on trying to improve to finally be accepted. The song reflected the confusion that brought that left so many men yearning to simply be accepted as they are. The message is the same for women as well. I give great thanks for the various permutations of men creating conscious community and am proud to have participated and grown in them. |
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SONG LYRICS: MEN t was men who were gallant, Men who were bold Men who would come save the day They wanted men who slayed dragons Men filled with causes Men who would sweep them away Then it was men who were funny Men who were sexual Men who were just like old dad They wanted men who could work hard Men who were powerful Men who would never get mad Mirror on the wall ...Tell me who am I Oh a man, yeah, but what’s that What am I I inside, inside Then give us men who are sensitive Men who are feeling, Men who are willing to die We want men intellectual, men who make money Men in a black suit and tie We want men athletic, men with strong bodies Hard men who can cuddle and cry Give us men with a square jaw, men out of GQ Real men I can look good beside Mirror on the wall ...Tell me who am I Oh, a man, yeah, but what’s that What am I inside? Inside Just when I thought I had found a direction Just when I’d found a career Just when the money and power Were flowing Just when I’d swallowed my fear Just when I looked like the magazine model Just when I drank the right beer Somebody shifted the template Somebody altered the form Somebody somewhere went and changed What I’m supposed to be More tears, more brains They want more brawn, more man More man, more man, more… Now I sit here before you, a mosaic, a collage A man with a heart and a soul I want you, my brothers I need you my brothers Come along we can all be whole We can live like we want to, be like we want to My brother, I give you my hand We’re men, just men, it’s simple, just men Come, take my hand We’re not men who are gallant Men who are bold Not men who will come save the day © May 15, 1991. Music for Every Soul. All Rights Reserved. |
10 Men
