Why did the little girls grow crooked

While the little boys grow tall

The boys were taught to tumble

The girls told not to fall

The girls answered the telephone

The boys answered the call

That's why little girls grew crooked

While the little boys grew tall



Why did the little girls grow crippled

While the little boys grow strong

The boys allowed to come of age

The girls just came along

The girls were told sing harmonies

The boys could all sing songs

That's why little girls grew crippled

While little boys grew strong



Why did the little girls come broken

While the little boys came whole

The little boys were set aflame

The girls told to fan the coals

The boys all told to be themselves

While the girls were told play the roles

That's why little girls came broken

While little boys came whole



Why were the little girls all frightened

To be just what they are

The boys were told to ask themselves

How high how far

The girls were told to reach the shelves

While the boys were reaching stars

That's why little girls were frightened

To be just what they are



And still they bled for us all

As the moon rode the sky

They carried our seed

When our need ran high

They fed all our children

In the night as they cried

Womankind wept

As mankind died



Why were the little girls left hurtin'

When all the boys were done

And the girls left in the moonlight

When the boys went to meet the sun

And when the girls were open

Why had the little all won?

That's why little girls were hurtin'

When the little boys were done



Why did the little girls grow crooked

While the little boys grew tall-acapo