Ian, Janis - Matthew Lyrics
Footsteps on gravel at the neighborhood bar
Things start to unravel, then they go too far
The sound of pain written on the wind
Fades to grey and then goes dim
For the crows to ride and the claws to clench
For the sweet bouquet of blood and bone
To undermine the scent of collegiate cologne
What makes a man a man?
The cut of a coat, the hint of a tan?
It's not who you love, but whether you can
What makes a man a man?
Who did he harm, what was the crime?
Did he make them wonder deep inside?
Did they feel like real men when he died?
Did the waning moon look down from on high?
Did the twinkling stars try to catch his eye?
Did the wind caress his flesh and bone?
Did they leave him there to die alone?
What makes a man a man?
The cut of a coat, the hint of a tan?
It's not who you love, but whether you can
What makes a man a man
Now the stars are nailed to an empty sky
The moon is pinned like a butterfly
And I'm afraid to shine too bright
Since the day they took his life
So mothers, teach your children this
Don't overreach, don't run the risk
Hide in the shadows, don't expect
Your good heart to save your neck
What makes a man a man?
The cut of a coat, the hint of a tan?
It's not who you love, but whether you can
What makes a man a man?
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Ian, Janis - Welcome To Acousticville
- Ian, Janis - No One Else Like You
- Ian, Janis - Tenderness
- Ian, Janis - Take No Prisoners
- Ian, Janis - Ready For The War
- Ian, Janis - Breaking Silence
- Ian, Janis - Some People's Lives
- Ian, Janis - This House
- Ian, Janis - Through The Years
- Ian, Janis - This Train Still Runs
- Ian, Janis - Walking On Sacred Ground
- Ian, Janis - His Hands
- Ian, Janis - What About The Love
- Ian, Janis - Davy
- Ian, Janis - When The Silence Falls
- Ian, Janis - Hunger
- Ian, Janis - Searching For America
- Ian, Janis - Getting Over You
Rand Lyrics
Last Posts
Beyonce Shakes the Internet with Surprise Super Bowl Tease and New Music Release
Beyoncé once again set the digital world abuzz with her latest musical surprise. In an unforgettable move during the Super Bowl, a Verizon commercial served...Watch Usher’s Full Super Bowl 2024 Halftime Performance Usher, Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris,
At the 2024 Super Bowl, Usher redefined the halftime show with a dazzling, career-highlight performance that will be remembered for years to come. Taking the...Usher Unveils ‘Coming Home’: A Journey Through Sound and Soul in His Latest Album
Spanning three decades in the music industry, Usher has consistently mesmerized fans with his soulful tunes and magnetic performances. However, his most recent project, Coming...
Ian, Janis Matthew Comments
One of the great questions, What makes a man a man? Love Janis Ian and all she represents.
I heard a superb cover of this by Marc Almond and never realised this was written by my favourite ever recording artist... The narrative of divide and rule obviously frightens people into thinking it’s everyone for themselves in times of oppression by the elite, which is why, black, white, disabled, straight, gay, we have to come together and look out for each other, in times like these..
Dolcissima, tenerissima canzone per Matthew Shepard 🌹
Translated by Google, this comment in English is:
Very sweet, very tender song for Matthew Shepard
It's Matthew Shepard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard
Damn, that was heartbreaking 😔
My wife, grown son and grown daughter attended one of the nights that they recorded this DVD concert at the Club Cafe in Pittsburgh. It was an experience to be up close with this artist. I had followed her career since 67 when Society's Child was a hit in Pittsburgh and it was awesome to see her 30 years later doing this recording. A beautiful voice still and a great songwriter.
I completely agree. One of the few singer/songwriters you can mention in the same breath as Leonard Cohen (RIP).
this is really beautiful janis. i know you've expelled me for revealing HIllary's crimes against America and for supporting Trump for president. But boy - back in the day - you could write a song. no denying it. And - as I write this, it appears Hillary is NOT going to make it to become President after new evidence. So, I'll try not to do the victory dance too loudly from here.
Really? You couldn't have stopped after your first sentence? That's saying a whole lot of shit about you.
But if the world was so accepting and good I wouldn't drink and my spelling would be ace!
...differences make us interesting. I love meeting and knowing people who are different. They really make the world a fun place. Peace!
I've heard of the case of Matthew Shephard before and it's awful. Homophobia is a terrible thing but it's not as bad as murder. Hating someone for being themselves is a bad but no one has the right to take life. Matthew Shephard was more of a man for living his life honestly than the cunts who killed him. This song is haunting and very good. A great tribute. The world isn't here for hate, or murder, but especially hate. Why do people fear difference? Differences make the world and people in it..