A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
Men
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hand out the life jackets, the men keep on their coats
The women and the children are the ones who must go first
And the men who try to save their skins are cowards and are cursed
Every man's a captain, men know how to drown
Man the lifeboats if there's room, otherwise go down
Women and children are civilians, when they're killed it's not right
Men kill men in uniform, its the way war goes
When they run they're cowards, when they stay they are heroes
Every man's a general, men go off to war
The battlefields a man's world, cannon fodders what they're for
It's the men who have the power, it's the men who have the might
And the world's a place of horror because each man thinks he's right
A man's home is his castle so the family let him in
But what's important in that kingdom is the women and the children
A husband and a father, every man's a king
But he's really just a drone, gathers no honey, has no sting
Have pity on the general, the king, and the captain
They know they're expendable, after all they're men
In these lyrics, Loudon Wainwright III depicts the traditional gender roles and expectations that have been imposed upon men and women throughout history. He points out the fact that in times of crisis, such as a ship sinking or a war, it is always the women and children who are considered more valuable and therefore are given priority in saving their lives. Men, on the other hand, are expected to act as protectors and providers, sacrificing their own lives for the safety of others. However, the lyrics also suggest that this expectation puts a heavy burden on men, causing them to question their own bravery and worth as human beings.
The first stanza of the song describes the act of lowering lifeboats in a sinking ship, where men are expected to stay behind and ensure the safety of women and children. However, in doing so, they are perceived as cowards who care more about saving their own lives than protecting the vulnerable ones around them. The second stanza talks about war, where men are traditionally seen as the ones who go to fight, while women and children stay back home. The lyrics criticize the fact that in war, it is often men who kill other men, while women and children are considered collateral damage. The third stanza refers to the power dynamics between men and women in society, where men hold more power and influence than women do. However, Wainwright also highlights the fact that it is the women and children who hold the real importance in a man's life, despite the societal expectation for men to act as kings and generals.
The song is meant to be a critique of toxic masculinity and the societal expectations that are placed on men to constantly prove their worth through acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. Wainwright challenges this notion by suggesting that men are also vulnerable human beings who are capable of fear and doubt, and that they too deserve empathy and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
When a ship is sinking and they lower the lifeboats
When a crisis occurs and people are trying to find safety
And hand out the life jackets, the men keep on their coats
Men often prioritize their own comfort over their personal safety
The women and the children are the ones who must go first
In times of crisis, society prioritizes the safety of women and children
And the men who try to save their skins are cowards and are cursed
Men who prioritize their own safety over others are often judged harshly
Every man's a captain, men know how to drown
Men often think of themselves as leaders, even in situations where they may have no experience or knowledge
Man the lifeboats if there's room, otherwise go down
Men may be willing to help others, but only if they are certain they can save themselves as well
And it's the same when there's a war on: it's the men who go to fight
Men are typically the ones who are drafted or choose to fight in war
Women and children are civilians, when they're killed it's not right
Society views women and children as innocent victims of war, not as combatants
Men kill men in uniform, its the way war goes
Men often engage in violent conflict with other men, particularly in war
When they run they're cowards, when they stay they are heroes
Society often judges men based on their willingness to fight in war, regardless of the circumstances
Every man's a general, men go off to war
Men often see themselves as leaders, even if they have no formal military training
The battlefields a man's world, cannon fodders what they're for
War is seen as a masculine arena, with men being used as disposable soldiers
It's the men who have the power, it's the men who have the might
Men have historically held more power and influence in society than women
And the world's a place of horror because each man thinks he's right
The world can be a scary place when people are unwilling to consider other perspectives or opinions
A man's home is his castle so the family let him in
Men often have authority in their homes, with women and children being subservient to them
But what's important in that kingdom is the women and the children
Despite men being seen as the head of the household, the responsibilities of caring for the family often fall on women and children
A husband and a father, every man's a king
Men sometimes see themselves as being in a position of absolute authority within their homes
But he's really just a drone, gathers no honey, has no sting
Men may think of themselves as powerful, but they often lack the ability to make a significant impact in the world
Have pity on the general, the king, and the captain
Leadership roles can be incredibly taxing and challenging for men, despite societal expectations of them to succeed
They know they're expendable, after all they're men
Men may feel like society values them less as individuals and more as disposable resources or tools in certain situations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLADYS KNIGHT, ATTALA ZANE GILES, CORNELIUS CHARLES MIMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
heebiejeepie
When a ship is sinking and they lower the lifeboats
And hand out the life jackets,
The men keep on their coats
The women and the children are the ones
Who must go first
And the men who try to save their skins
Are cowards and are cursed
Every man's a captain, men know how to drown
Man the lifeboats if there's room, otherwise go down
And it's the same when there's a war on:
It's the men who go to fight
Women and children are civilians,
When they're killed it's not right
Men kill men in uniform, it's the way war goes
When they run they're cowards,
When they stay they are heroes
Every man's a general, men go off to war
The battlefields a man's world,
Cannon fodders what they're for
It's the men who have the power,
It's the men who have the might
And the world's a place of horror
Because each man thinks he's right
A man's home is his castle so the family let him in
But what's important in that kingdom
Is the women and the children
A husband and a father, every man's a king
But he's really just a drone,
Gathers no honey, has no sting
Have pity on the general, the king, and the captain
They know they're expendable, after all they're men
aijawe lajgawe
Loudon took requests last night when I saw him and somehow heard me say "Men" over many other songs. Seeing him sing it live was one of the most amazing moments of my life. An under-appreciated musical genius!
Cecily Fasham
This is possibly my favourite Loudon song. It's really poignant and makes you think a bit about how men are seen.
heebiejeepie
When a ship is sinking and they lower the lifeboats
And hand out the life jackets,
The men keep on their coats
The women and the children are the ones
Who must go first
And the men who try to save their skins
Are cowards and are cursed
Every man's a captain, men know how to drown
Man the lifeboats if there's room, otherwise go down
And it's the same when there's a war on:
It's the men who go to fight
Women and children are civilians,
When they're killed it's not right
Men kill men in uniform, it's the way war goes
When they run they're cowards,
When they stay they are heroes
Every man's a general, men go off to war
The battlefields a man's world,
Cannon fodders what they're for
It's the men who have the power,
It's the men who have the might
And the world's a place of horror
Because each man thinks he's right
A man's home is his castle so the family let him in
But what's important in that kingdom
Is the women and the children
A husband and a father, every man's a king
But he's really just a drone,
Gathers no honey, has no sting
Have pity on the general, the king, and the captain
They know they're expendable, after all they're men
ned clancy
This is a masterpiece!!!! This moved me to tears and woke me up!!!
Grawp55
Breathtakingly beautiful and I hadnt ever heard it before, so thank you!
Esoteric Sage
This verbalized what I felt as a man. When it said, Men know how to drown, that touched my soul.
sl8ofhand
It's one of my faves...I've been doing this one for years...always loved those lyrics: "...A husband and a father, every man's a king, But he's really just a drone; gathers no honey; has no sting..."
Clementina Monk
one of my favorite Loudon Wainwright songs
james edwards
Never heard this tune, until I played Fairport Convention's version from their Old.New.Borrowed.Blue CD. Excellent song!
witkola
I first heard this about nine years ago. It was in the background of a program about men on NPR. It was so cool to be able to find it after all this time.