I Wonder When I'll Get To Be Called A Man
Quest for Manhood: Big Bill Broonzy's Reflections on Identity
Lyrics
When I was born into this world, this is what happened to me
Reflecting on experiences since birth and the speaker's perception of not being acknowledged as a man.
I was never called a man, and now I'm fifty-three
Expressing the frustration of not being recognized as a man despite reaching the age of fifty-three.
I wonder when
Pondering about the timing or circumstances when the speaker will be acknowledged as a man.
I wonder when
Reiterating the uncertainty and anticipation of the speaker regarding being recognized as a man.
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Expressing the central question of when the speaker will finally be acknowledged as a man.
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?
Questioning if the speaker needs to wait until reaching the age of ninety-three to be recognized as a man.
When Uncle Sam called me, I knowed I'd be called a real McCoy
Recalling a time when the speaker expected recognition as a man, such as when called by Uncle Sam, but instead being referred to as a soldier boy.
But I got none of this, they just called me soldier boy
Expressing disappointment in not receiving the expected recognition and being labeled as a soldier boy instead.
I wonder when
Repeating the central question about when the speaker will be acknowledged as a man.
I wonder when
Reiterating the uncertainty and anticipation of the speaker regarding being recognized as a man.
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Expressing the central question of when the speaker will finally be acknowledged as a man.
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?
Questioning if the speaker needs to wait until reaching the age of ninety-three to be recognized as a man.
When I got back from overseas, that night we had a ball
Narrating a celebratory event after returning from overseas but being advised to get overalls, possibly implying a lack of recognition as a man in daily life.
Next day I met the old boss, he said "Boy get you some overalls"
Recalling an encounter with the boss, who suggests practical work instead of acknowledging the speaker as a man.
I wonder when
Repeating the central question about when the speaker will be acknowledged as a man.
I wonder when
Reiterating the uncertainty and anticipation of the speaker regarding being recognized as a man.
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Expressing the central question of when the speaker will finally be acknowledged as a man.
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?
Questioning if the speaker needs to wait until reaching the age of ninety-three to be recognized as a man.
I've worked on the levee camps, and axer gangs too
Describing experiences working in different labor camps and expressing frustration at the prevailing perception that a black man is still a boy regardless of his abilities.
Black man's a boy, don't care what he can do
Highlighting the racial bias and stereotyping that denies recognition of a black man as a grown-up.
I wonder when
Repeating the central question about when the speaker will be acknowledged as a man.
I wonder when
Reiterating the uncertainty and anticipation of the speaker regarding being recognized as a man.
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Expressing the central question of when the speaker will finally be acknowledged as a man.
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?
Questioning if the speaker needs to wait until reaching the age of ninety-three to be recognized as a man.
They aid I was uneducated, my clothes were dirty and torn
Recalling judgments about the speaker's education and appearance, indicating societal prejudice and the persistent denial of the speaker's manhood.
Now I've got a little education, but I'm still a boy right on
Stating that despite gaining some education, the speaker is still denied recognition as a man.
I wonder when
Repeating the central question about when the speaker will be acknowledged as a man.
I wonder when
Reiterating the uncertainty and anticipation of the speaker regarding being recognized as a man.
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Expressing the central question of when the speaker will finally be acknowledged as a man.
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?
Questioning if the speaker needs to wait until reaching the age of ninety-three to be recognized as a man.
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