American Old Time Song Lyrics: 43 I Want To Be A Man Like You

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 43

I Want to Be a Man Like You.
Copyright, 1893. by Ilsen & Co.
Words and Music by E. K. Bennett.

Two bright eyes and golden hair, a little boy climbed on his chair,
A loving kiss and roguish smile, asking of him all the while,
Papa, will girls be men like you, will they be soldiers and dress in blue.
And every night, as he sat in his chair, this little boy would say:

Chorus.
I want to be a man like yon. this little boy would say;
I'm tired of curls and dresses like girls and with dolls to play;
I want to be big and tall, papa, and travel all over this world;
I'll love mamma and you, I'll be honest and true, when I am a man like you.

Years passed by, the boy he grew into manhood's estate,
But one dark hour he did a deed, repented when 'twas too late;
In prison cell remorse did come for the deed so rashly done;
he thought of the words that he had sung when he was a boy so young. Cho.

Then a pardon came for him, and he went far away,
Was married, and wealthy they became; he'd a bright life and home;
His children 'round him then would play, a bright-eyed boy did climb his knee,
And brought back the mem'ry of darkest days, when his son to him says;- Cho.