Lyrics
Me and my brother were talking to each other
Discussion between the speaker and their brother about the qualities that define a man.
'Bout what makes a man a man
Exploring the essence of manhood.
Was it brain or brawn, or the month you were born
Considering whether being a man is determined by intelligence, physical strength, or birth month.
We just couldn't understand
Expressing confusion about the concept of manhood.
Our old man didn't like our appearance
Their father disapproves of their appearance, particularly their long hair.
He said that only women wear long hair
Stating the father's belief that only women have long hair.
So me and my brother borrowed money from Mother
Borrowing money from their mother to take a significant step.
We knew what we had to do
Understanding the necessity of a change and deciding to act.
We went downstairs, past the barber and gymnasium
Describing the journey downstairs, passing a barber and a gymnasium.
And got our arms tattooed
Getting tattoos on their arms.
Welcome to my life, tattoo
Welcoming the tattoos into their lives.
I'm a man now, thanks to you
Expressing gratitude for the transformation into manhood through the tattoos.
I expect I'll regret you but the skin graft man won't get you
Expecting future regret but acknowledging the permanence of the tattoos.
You'll be there when I die
Believing the tattoos will remain with them until death.
Tattoo
Reiterating the significance of the tattoo in their life.
My dad beat me 'cause mine said "Mother"
Recalling a negative reaction from their father due to a tattoo mentioning "Mother."
But my mother naturally liked it and beat my brother
Highlighting the mother's approval and punishment of the brother with a different tattoo.
'Cause his tattoo was of a lady in the nude
Describing the brother's tattoo featuring a nude lady.
And my mother thought that was extremely rude
Explaining the mother's disapproval of the brother's tattoo as being extremely rude.
Welcome to my life, tattoo
Repeating the welcoming of the tattoo into their life.
We've a long time together, me and you
Acknowledging the long-lasting connection with the tattoo.
I expect I'll regret you but the skin graft man won't get you
Anticipating future regret but emphasizing the tattoo's permanence.
You'll be there when I die
Believing the tattoo will be present even in death.
Tattoo
Reiterating the enduring significance of the tattoo.
Now I'm older, I'm tattooed all over
Reflecting on aging and being covered in tattoos.
My wife is tattooed too
Mentioning the speaker's wife also having tattoos.
A rooty-toot-toot, rooty-tooty-toot-toot
Playfully referring to the tattoos with rhythmic language.
Rooty-toot-toot tattoo too
Continuing the playful description of tattoos.
To you
Concluding with a dedication of the song to the tattoos.
Radio London reminds you, go to the church of your choice!
An unrelated announcement, possibly adding a humorous touch to the end of the song.
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