[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

[Pre-Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
Why can't a man (Why can't a man) stand up?
Why can't a man (Why can't a man) stand up?
Why can't a man (Why can't a man) stand alone?