I'll Make A Man Out Of You
Donny Osmond and Chorus 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 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 'til 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 lyrics to Donny Osmond's song "I'll Make a Man Out of You" are about a leader who is training a group of soldiers to fight against the Huns. The leader is frustrated because he expected to be given sons as soldiers, but instead, he has been given "daughters" who he perceives as weak and spineless. However, he is determined to train them and turn them into real men who are capable of fighting and winning the war. The song is about the process of transformation these soldiers go through, and the difficulty they face in becoming the warriors they want to be.


The leader is unsympathetic towards his soldiers, calling them spineless and pathetic. However, he sees potential in them and is determined to help them find their inner strength. The lyrics speak to the idea that true strength comes from within, and that even those who seem weak can become powerful if they find their center. The soldiers struggle to keep up with the leader's expectations, but he continues to push them, reminding them that the enemy is coming and they must be ready to face them.


Line by Line Meaning

Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns
We need to put aside our differences and focus on defeating the enemy.


Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?
I expected the strongest and bravest warriors, but it seems we have been given the weaker ones.


You're the saddest bunch I ever met
You seem weak, unconfident, and unprepared for the task at hand.


But you can bet before we're through, Mister, I'll make a man out of you
I will train and prepare you until you are strong, brave, and ready for battle.


Tranquil as a forest but on fire within
You need to be calm and focused on the outside, but determined and passionate on the inside.


Once you find your center, you are sure to win
Once you find your inner strength and confidence, victory will be within reach.


You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot
You lack bravery, strength, and determination.


And you haven't got a clue
You are unprepared and unaware of what it takes to win this battle.


Somehow I'll make a man out of you
I am determined to train and prepare you until you are strong and brave enough to fight and win.


I'm never gonna catch my breath
I have a lot of work to do and do not have time to rest.


Say goodbye to those who knew me
I am leaving behind my old self and embracing a new identity as a warrior.


Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym
I regret not taking fitness seriously in the past.


This guy's got 'em scared to death, Hope he doesn't see right through me
I am afraid of my own weaknesses and fear that my enemies will discover them.


Now I really wish that I knew how to swim
I wish I had more skills and abilities to help me in battle.


Time is racing toward us 'til the Huns arrive
We need to work quickly and efficiently because time is running out before the enemy arrives.


Heed my every order and you might survive
I have a plan to help us win, but it will only work if you listen and follow my commands.


You're unsuited for the rage of war
You do not seem to have the skills and abilities necessary to survive in battle.


So pack up, go home, you're through
If you are not willing to train and prepare, then you should leave and not participate in the battle.


How could I make a man out of you?
If you are not willing to put in the effort and become a stronger, braver person, then there is nothing I can do to help you.


Be a man, We must be swift as the coursing river
To win this battle, we need to act quickly and with determination, like a fast-flowing river.


Be a man, With all the force of a great typhoon
We need to be powerful and forceful like a devastating typhoon to overcome our enemies.


Be a man, With all the strength of a raging fire
We need to have the strength and passion of a fierce fire to persevere and succeed.


Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Our determination and fierceness should be a mystery to our enemies, keeping them on their toes and always guessing.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Matthew Wilder, David Joel Zippel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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