Why Can't a Man Stand Alone?

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 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 her heart to begin with Why can't a man stand alone? 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 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 Why can't a woman stand alone? 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 Why can't a man stand up? Why can't a man stand up? Why can't a man stand alone? --- Why Can't a Man Stand Alone? - Elvis Costello