[Verse 1]
Don't wade in muddy water if you can't swim
The snags and the holes make chances slim
If you can swim, don't wade at all
Why stub your toe, why risk a fall
The water's clear and the bottom sand
To swim the sea, to walk the land
The great design, the master plan
To be a Man
[Verse 2]
If you give a boy just half a chance
He might become just half a man
If you stunt his growth and keep him small
Then he'll become no man at all
But give him room and let him go
The land is good and a man must grow
The great design, the master plan
To be a Man
[Verse 3]
Well herе's that ladder now, come let's climb
Thе first rung, it's yours, the rest is mine
Well I can climb till I reach the top
"You can climb one rung", they say "And then must stop"
But my arms have power and my heart has pride
With this bottom rung, I'm not satisfied
Well I'll climb up or I'll shake you down
I fear no fall, I'm on the ground
The great design, the master plan
It's nature's law, it's God's command
One must be free on sea and land
To be a Man, to be a Man
To be a Man
To Be a Man was written by Len Chandler.
To Be a Man was produced by John Hammond.