Without 'Man', There's No 'Woman

Without 'Man', There's No 'Woman

Verse 1
If "mankind" becomes "humankind,"
and "human" turns to "hupeople,"
no more "congressmen" or "firemen,"
just "congresspersons" and "firefighters,"
no "chairmen," only "chairpersons."

Verse 1b
But even in "humankind,"
there's "man" hidden inside,
no escape from the roots,
of the language we use,
even "hu" can't hide the "man" we find.

Pre-Chorus
Though they try to change it all,
with "womyn" and "folx,"
a throne isn't a "throness,"
and the female lion
doesn't need to be called "lioness."

Chorus
And though parrots find their pairs,
and flowers bloom everywhere,
my logic stands its ground:
cows don't need "cowesses,"
and bulls don't have "bullesses."

Verse 2
If "history" becomes "herstory,"
and "manpower" turns to "peoplepower,"
you can't just rearrange,
words that differ from their roles.
No matter how hard they insist,
my hand has no "handess,"
and frogs have no "frogesses."

Pre-Chorus
And a focus isn't a "focess,"
nor do you say "manness,"
to mean the male version of Anne.

Chorus
And though parrots find their pairs,
and flowers bloom everywhere,
my logic stands its ground:
cows don't need "cowesses,"
and bulls don't have "bullesses."

Bridge
In a world where words are changed,
every "man" replaced with "person,"
let's remember as we speak,
reason should always lead the way.

Chorus
And though parrots find their pairs,
and flowers bloom everywhere,
my logic stands its ground:
cows don't need "cowesses,"
and bulls don't have "bullesses."

Final
For a language true and clear,
let's all sing along,
but if "man" is always wrong,
where does that leave "woman"?
Without "man," there's no "woman" at all,
and reason should always belong.

And a focus isn't a "focess,"
nor do you say "manness,"
to mean the male version of Anne.

Final
For a language true and clear,
let's all sing along,
but if "man" is always wrong,
where does that leave "woman"?
Without "man," there's no "woman" at all,
and reason should always belong.

And a focus isn't a "focess,"
nor do you say "manness,"
to mean the male version of Anne.