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THE MEASURE OF A MAN

from THAT PASSED by Patrick Regan Band

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lyrics

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

Six feet long and six feet under
Is the measure of a man
If he hasn't learned compassion
And he hasn't lent a hand
Hasn't laughed at his own pride and shame
And forgiven what he can
Six feet long and six feet under is
The measure of a man

Twas the month before Christmas
And all through the countryside
A form arrived in every office
And there was no place to hide
Said it's time for all the boys and girls
Across the working world
To sing their own praises
So April showers them with raises
As a jolly corporate Santa would decide

I sat down to write to Santa
I'm a first-rate employee
And I threw in something naughty
To make sure he believed me
But from deep within my bottom drawer
I heard a dreadful roar
"What is the measure of a man?"
The pen would not obey my hand
Swore off coffee then and there for tea

Six feet long and six feet under
Is the measure of a man
If he hasn't learned compassion
And he hasn't lent a hand
Hasn't laughed at his own pride and shame
And forgiven what he can
Six feet long and six feet under is
The measure of a man

When I mustered up my courage
And I opened up that drawer
I found two books I must have buried there
A thousand years before
They are doomed to darkness, one book sings
Who worship only worldly things
To greater darkness they who worship
Nothing but the spirit
The other said: Drink this, and thirst no more

Six feet long and six feet under
Is the measure of a man
If he hasn't learned compassion
And he hasn't lent a hand
Hasn't laughed at his own pride and shame
And forgiven what he can
Six feet long and six feet under is
The measure of a man

I was halfway to my car when I
Turned badk to get my key
And I bumped into an old man
Who looked a lot like me
You can save my life, he told me
But you'll have to lose your own
And I found myself alone again
Before my mouth could open
The wind blows where it will
Remarked the breeze

Six feet long and six feet under
Is the measure of a man
If he hasn't learned compassion
And he hasn't lent a hand
Hasn't laughed at his own pride and shame
And forgiven what he can
Six feet long and six feet under is
The measure of a man

credits

from THAT PASSED, released January 14, 2023
Copyright Patrick S. Regan (BMI)

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Patrick Regan Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

A songwriter and singer, I'm handy enough to be a one-man band but lucky enough to rope in great collaborators: Andy Goessling, Dave Pegg, Dave Mattacks, John Andrews, Shannon Anderson, and more.

This is one place I'm preserving and publishing the best of my songs. Look for new releases here throughout 2024. ... more

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