One of my favorite television shows around the time of this writing, believe it or not, was Judge Judy. Her old school logic and pull no punches attitude towards the glaring lack of ethics in the young generation during that era really struck a chord with me. Time and time again, she would express her shock at the litigants who were sponging on society and were unwilling to earn an honest living. So I wrote this calling out to the young men of the time to Man Up and stop being a burden on society; to challenge them to be a blessing and not a curse. As marijuana, drugs, and alcohol seemed to be tightening its grip on our youth, my heart was troubled. The length of adolescence keeps getting longer; in many cases nowadays reaching into their 30s! Come on men of America! If you can’t fend for yourself by age 21, then something is very wrong! And come on parents; stop enabling these lazy leeches!
I grew up mainly in the 60s and 70s, so I am acutely aware that my generation was no better! In fact, I know firsthand how devastating going down the wrong paths can be. Maybe that’s why I want better for the next generation; to protect them from the scars I carry. I want to see this nation prosper! I want to see trustworthy and good politicians and government officials. I want to see an end to the divisiveness of racial tensions. We are one people! We are on nation! Let’s act like it!
Man-Up
Words and music by Reggie Michaud © 2010
You say you’ve come of age, why don’t you turn the page
When you gonna man-up and act like a man
Ambition indeed! You’re still smoking on the weed
How you gonna stand up to prosper and thrive
You’re acting like you’re SO tough- you think you really are buff
When you gonna man-up and act like a man
But when it comes to money, you’re leaning on your mommy
When you gonna wise-up- come up with a plan
Man up! Get a job- learn to pay all your bills
Man up! Make a home- stay away from the pills
Man up! Treat your neighbor like you wanna be treated
Man up! Speak the truth- and you won’t be defeated
Man up!
You need a place to call home- don’t matter if you rent or own
When you gonna man-up and act like a man
When will you learn forgiveness; to give receive and be blessed
When you gonna give-up and be born again
Foundations need to be secure- with dreams for the future
When you gonna man-up and act like a man
Abandon any selfish wants, mouthy pride and careless taunts
When you gonna grow-up and act like a man
Man up! Get a life that is good and abundant
Man up! Don’t’ be mad if this song is redundant
Man up! Told you once and I’ll tell you again
Man up! Life is short and to waste it is sin
So Man up!