Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh Oh son You have to start somewhere But don't run Or you won't get there Just tie your shoes and tend to the trees Just be the man that I couldn't be Just be the man I couldn't be Ooh (Mmm) Ooh (Mmm) My son See I wasn't there when you were born But I felt a love for you like never before Whilst I'm away just pick up the leaves And be the man I couldn't be Just be the man I couldn't be Sorry won't change the hurt that I've done So care for your mother when I'm gone Cause sorry won't change the hurt that I've done So care for your mother when I'm gone Ooh Cause it wasn't my choice Ooh When I had to leave (Ooh) But if I had been stronger then I would have stayed Sorry won't change the hurt that I've done So care for your mother when I'm gone Cause sorry won't change the hurt that I've done So care for your mother when I'm gone Oh son Stay out of trouble Be kind and always be humble Make her proud by not being me Just be the man that I could not be Just be the man that I could not be Ooh Ooh Just be the man that I couldn't be (Ooh) Ooh Just be the man, be the man And care for your mother Care for your mother And care for your mother Care for her