When I was a young boy in Brooklyn

Going to public school

During recess in the concrete playground

They lined us up by twos

In alphabetical order, Reagan, Reed and Russo

I still remember the names

And stickball and stoopball

Were the only games that we played

And I wanted to be like my old man

I wanted to grow up just like my old man

I wanted to be like my old man

I wanted to dress like

I wanted to be just like

I wanted to act like my old man

I wanted to be like

I wanted to act like

I wanted to be just like my old man



And then like everyone else I started to grow

And I didn't want to be like my father anymore

I was sick if his bullying

And having to hide under a desk on the floor

And when he beat my mother

It made me so mad I could choke

And I didn't want to be like my old man

I didn't even want to look like my old man

I didn't even want to seem like my old man



A son watches his father

Being cruel to his mother

And makes a vow to return only when

He is so much richer

In every way so much bigger

That the old man will never hit anyone again



Like my old man [x4]



And can you believe what he said to me

He said, "Lou, act like a man"

Why don't you act just like a man

Act like your daddy

Act like a man

Why don't you act like a man

Like your old man



Like my old man