Playing on the playground between naps
Your cubby partner's over there
An older boy just pulled her hair
Without a thought you take him to the grass
You bloody adolescent fists
When mom found out she sure was pissed
They took you out of school for a week
Your knuckles had begun to swell
You made your bruises show-n-tell

(Chorus.)
Child of man
See how much you've grown
See just where you stand
Child of man
Sound of mind
See how strong you are
See how you shape the land
Child of man

High school sophomore year you call your dad
Your crying in the driver's seat you didn't see him in the street
The damage to the car is pretty bad
But you didn't hit that little boy
The telephone pole you destroyed
Dad picks you up and drops you in his truck
The silent somber driving home
Dad lets you know you're not alone

(Chorus.)
Child of man
See how much you've grown
See just where you stand
Child of man
Sound of mind
See how strong you are
See how you shape the land
Child of man

His mother has your hand tight in her grasp
She's dressed in an informal gown
A flock of small hair starts to crown
The nurse beside you sets you to the task
To cut the chord that binds him still
From all the noises you distill
The child of man who babbles in your breast
His warm and most distinctive cry
Those eager cerulean eyes

(Chorus.)
Child of man
You'll see how much you grow
You'll know just where you stand
Child of man
Sound of mind
You'll see how strong you are
And you will shape the land
Child of man