I'll Make Man Out of You
Chorus - Mulan & Donny Osmond Lyrics


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Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns
Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?
You're the saddest bunch I ever met
But you can bet before we're through
Mister, I'll make a man out of you

Tranquil as a forest but on fire within
Once you find your center, you are sure to win
You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot
And you haven't got a clue
Somehow I'll make a man out of you

I'm never gonna catch my breath
Say goodbye to those who knew me
Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym
This guy's got 'em scared to death
Hope he doesn't see right through me
Now I really wish that I knew how to swim

Be a man
We must be swift as the coursing river
Be a man
With all the force of a great typhoon
Be a man
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Time is racing toward us till the Huns arrive
Heed my every order and you might survive
You're unsuited for the rage of war
So pack up, go home, you're through
How could I make a man out of you?

Be a man
We must be swift as the coursing river
Be a man
With all the force of a great typhoon
Be a man
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Be a man
We must be swift as the coursing river
Be a man
With all the force of a great typhoon
Be a man




With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Overall Meaning

The song "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is from the 1998 Disney movie, Mulan. The song is sung by Captain Li Shang, voiced by Donny Osmond, to motivate his troops during their training process. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "be a man" to emphasize the characteristics of strength, courage, and resilience that are essential to becoming a soldier.


The first few lines of the song criticize the soldiers for their lack of masculine traits, saying "Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons? / You're the saddest bunch I ever met." However, Captain Li Shang encourages them to work hard and improve themselves with the promise of making "a man out of you." He describes the transformation as being "tranquil as a forest but on fire within," suggesting that they need to find inner strength and balance to succeed.


The latter half of the song is a call to action, urging the soldiers to be swift, forceful, and powerful like a coursing river, great typhoon, and raging fire. The final line, "Mysterious as the dark side of the moon," implies that there is more to being a soldier than just physical strength and that they must also be unpredictable and strategic.


Overall, the song's lyrics convey the idea that becoming a soldier requires more than just physical strength, and that inner resilience and determination are critical traits to develop.


Line by Line Meaning

Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns
We need to focus on this task to vanquish our enemy.


Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?
I expected stronger warriors, but instead received weaker soldiers.


You're the saddest bunch I ever met
You are weak and pathetic in comparison to what we need.


But you can bet before we're through Mister, I'll make a man out of you
I will train and push you to become stronger and more confident.


Tranquil as a forest but on fire within Once you find your center, you are sure to win
Find inner peace and strength, and you will be victorious in battle.


You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot And you haven't got a clue Somehow I'll make a man out of you
You are uncertain and weak, but I will mentor and develop your strength and resolve.


I'm never gonna catch my breath Say goodbye to those who knew me Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym This guy's got 'em scared to death Hope he doesn't see right through me Now I really wish that I knew how to swim
I am struggling to keep up physically and feeling insecure about my abilities.


Be a man We must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
To be strong, we must be quick, powerful, full of energy and quiet strength.


Time is racing toward us till the Huns arrive Heed my every order and you might survive You're unsuited for the rage of war So pack up, go home, you're through How could I make a man out of you?
We must work together and follow orders to prepare for an impending battle, but some of us may not have the skills needed for combat.


Be a man We must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
To be strong, we must be quick, powerful, full of energy and quiet strength.


Be a man We must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
To be strong, we must be quick, powerful, full of energy and quiet strength.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATTHEW WILDER, DAVID JOEL ZIPPEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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