What makes a man... a man? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #46 11-29-2013, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Ev'ryone considered him the coward of the county.
He'd never stood one single time to prove the county wrong.
His mama named him Tommy, the folks just called him yellow,
But something always told me they were reading Tommy wrong.

He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison.
I looked after Tommy 'cause he was my brother's son.
I still recall the final words my brother said to Tommy:
"Son, my life is over, but yours is just begun.

Promise me, son, not to do the things I've done.
Walk away from trouble if you can.
Now it won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek.
I hope you're old enough to understand:
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man."

There's someone for ev'ryone and Tommy's love was Becky.
In her arms he didn't have to prove he was a man.
One day while he was workin' the Gatlin boys came callin'.
They took turns at Becky.... n' there was three of them!

Tommy opened up the door and saw his Becky cryin'.
The torn dress, the shattered look was more than he could stand.
He reached above the fireplace and took down his daddy's picture.
As his tears fell on his daddy's face, He heard these words again:

"Promise me, son, not to do the things I've done.
Walk away from trouble if you can.
Now it won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek.
I hope you're old enough to understand:
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man."

The Gatlin boys just laughed at him when he walked into the barroom.
One of them got up and met him halfway 'cross the floor.
When Tommy turned around they said, "Hey look! ol' yellow's leavin'."
But you coulda heard a pin drop when Tommy stopped and locked
The door.

Twenty years of crawlin' was bottled up inside him.
He wasn't holdin' nothin' back; he let 'em have it all.
When Tommy left the barroom not a Gatlin boy was standin'.
He said, "This one's for Becky," as he watched the last one fall.
And I heard him say,

"I promised you, Dad, not to do the things you done.
I've walked away from trouble when I can.
Now please don't think I'm weak, I didn't turn the other cheek,
And Papa, I sure hope you understand:
Sometimes you gotta fight when you're a man."

Everyone considered him the coward of the county.

I suppose it depends on the definition we use. I have met with some girls that think that now they have brought a child to this world, they are truly a woman. Some used to think that if challenged and they don't fight, they are not a man. I have even heard people say that if you are not hung to X inches you are not a man. There are so many definitions, all supported by those that have carefully defined the meaning to include themselves.

So what is the value of being defined as a man or the penalty of being cast out of that "man" group? Seems to be merely a word that people define to include themselves into a category that is perceived to be good.

aklim · #47 11-29-2013, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

This treat others as you would like to be treated yourself has a lot of merit.

If everyone followed that rule, life would certainly be better. We wouldn't need religion to scare us into doing this, that or the other. I prefer to extend my hand of friendship and see where it goes but keep my other hand in the pocket just in case I have to whip something out.

whunter · #48 11-29-2013, 10:10 AM

Robert A. Heinlein - Wikiquote

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barry12345 · #49 11-29-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Robert A. Heinlein - Wikiquote

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Worth reading for many reasons and thanks for posting it Mr.Hunter.

Delibes · #50 11-29-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I think you are saying: if you can't be handsome you can be handy?

Words of wisdom shared with Red Green.

Short answer: DUCT TAPE MAKES THE MAN.

Thanks for the link, Whunter!

aklim · #51 11-29-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delibes

Short answer: DUCT TAPE MAKES THE MAN.

Thanks for the link, Whunter!

Thought it was the size of the BFH?

MTI · #52 11-29-2013, 11:29 AM

I hate misquotes . . . At the Possum Lodge, it's "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati