My Old Man Lyrics - Reed Lou

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)