I'll Make A Man Out Of You
Donny Osmond Chorus - Mulan Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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've 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
Why was I a fool in school for cutting gym
This guy's got them scared to death
Hope he doesn't see right through me
Now I really wish that I knew how to swim

(Be a man)
You 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 until 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)
You must be swift as a 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 a 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 chorus of "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is a song from the Disney movie Mulan. The song is sung by the character Captain Li Shang as he attempts to train his new recruits to become soldiers that can fight against the Huns. The opening line of the chorus "Let's get down to business to defeat the Huns" sets the tone for the song, indicating that the soldiers need to focus on the task at hand and not let any distractions get in the way of their mission.


The lyrics express the idea that manhood is something that can be taught and developed through training and discipline. The recruits are initially portrayed as weak and ineffectual, but Captain Li Shang is determined to train them to become strong and capable soldiers. The phrase "I'll make a man out of you" is repeated throughout the song as a reminder of the task at hand.


The second half of the chorus describes the various qualities that the soldiers need to possess in order to become successful warriors. They need to be swift and powerful, like a coursing river or a great typhoon. They need to be strong and fierce, like a raging fire. And they need to be mysterious and enigmatic, like the dark side of the moon. These metaphors are used to emphasize the idea that a successful warrior needs to possess a combination of physical strength, mental agility, and spiritual fortitude.


Overall, the chorus of "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is a motivational anthem that encourages the soldiers to focus their energies on becoming successful warriors. It emphasizes the idea that manhood is something that can be developed through training and discipline, and that true warriors need to possess a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual strength.


Line by Line Meaning

Let's get down to business to defeat the Huns
Let's focus and work together to overcome our enemy, the Huns.


Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons?
I expected strong and capable warriors, not weak and inexperienced soldiers.


You're the saddest bunch I've ever met
You lack confidence and determination, and it's disheartening.


But you can bet before we're through Mister, I'll make a man out of you
I am confident that I can motivate and train you to become strong and capable warriors.


Tranquil as a forest, but on fire within
Appear calm and composed on the outside, but harbor a fierce determination and inner strength.


Once you find your center, you are sure to win
When you discover your inner strength and determination, you will be unstoppable.


You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot and you haven't got a clue
You lack courage, look weak, and are ignorant of what it takes to be a warrior.


Somehow I'll make a man out of you
I am determined to help you overcome your shortcomings and become strong, capable warriors.


I'm never gonna catch my breath, Say goodbye to those who knew me, Why was I a fool in school for cutting gym
I am struggling to keep up with the training and struggling with regret for past mistakes.


This guy's got them scared to death, Hope he doesn't see right through me, Now I really wish that I knew how to swim
I am afraid of failure and that my weaknesses will be exposed. I feel inadequate in my abilities.


(Be a man) You must be swift as the coursing river
Being quick and agile is key to success in battle.


(Be a man) With all the force of a great typhoon
Exert immense physical force and power to overcome the enemy.


(Be a man) With all the strength of a raging fire, Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Be fierce and powerful like a raging fire, yet retain a mysterious and strategic nature like the dark side of the moon.


Time is racing toward us until the Huns arrive, Heed my every order and you might survive
We need to act quickly and follow my orders if we want to survive the impending arrival of the Huns.


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?
I doubt your ability to handle the harsh realities of war and am questioning if it's even possible to train you into strong warriors.


(Be a man) We must be swift as a coursing river
Reinforcing the importance of quick and precise movements in battle.


(Be a man) With all the force of a great typhoon
Reinforcing the importance of physical strength and power to overcome obstacles in battle.


(Be a man) With all the strength of a raging fire, Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Reinforcing the importance of being fierce and strategic simultaneously in battle.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions