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

Like my old man

Like my old man

Like my old man



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



(Reed, Fonfara