Lyr Req: Three Things a Man Must Do

Subject: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From:
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 10:49 PM

I'm looking for a song that contains the line, "plant a tree, take a wife and give the world a son." Any ideas?

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: Midchuck
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 10:55 PM

I remember the song from way way back. The chorus went:

There are three things a man must do
Before his days are done:
Plant a tree and take a wife
And give the world a son.

That's all I can remember. I suppose it would be considered sexist now, and we'd be forbidden to sing it even if we could remember it.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: MMario
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 10:58 PM

you remember more then I - though once triggered I do remember the chorus...

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 01:53 AM

This woman does not find that sexist, BTW. This woman hates it that men have to duck and worry over that! You are not my enemy!!!

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: BlueJay
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 02:30 AM

PRAISE- I worry, (a little). I've planted trees, taken wives, but every child has been female. They're taking over the place ;) My family is small, and my only brother isn't producing sons to carry on our name. I do have a grandson, who for the moment shares my last name. Maybe it really is a vain concern, as women been forced to change their last names for eons, and somehow survive with family links intact. But then, maybe they are more evolved than we are.

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 03:06 AM

BlueJay,

I think you can give the world sons. They may be sons of the heart.

I have a step-daughter for whom I have been the primary mother-figure, from her preteens to her approaching HS graduation. (I had had a son, but had always wondered how I would pass on what I had gained as a woman.) I take great care to give the world a good daughter in her-- passing on any wisdom I have been lucky enough to grab onto, being thoughtful about what kind of woman she'll be in her time.

So I imagine that the desire for a son involves more for a man than merely leaving a mini-self behind-- often men get knocked for egoism when I don't think that's quite the thing operating. I imagine that there's a feeling of wanting to know that what you have won from life, specifically as a man, is passed down and not lost. Maybe this is why we are sometimes allowed to recognize our children of the heart as they pass through our hands. (Sometimes not, sometimes we fill that place for a child and don't even know it.) If you look at the BS/rant kat/katlaughing started today (she called it a rant), you'll see one small boy who needed a strong and steadfast man... and if you look, there is probably a small boy in your environs to soak up every good and manly thing you could share. There are even young men here at the 'Cat who may look to you in that capacity.

Until you can see yourself more clearly in your grandson, don't wait to be the man some young man needs to see. Even a slight bit of fatherly attention goes a long way-- you don't have to do-all, be-all. But be intentional with the boys you know. Spread your fathering around among them. Don't worry about the name. It's only a symbol, and your place in the world is far more concrete than that. Worry about the legend of your clan-- not just the blood clan but also those who simply look to you as clan leader.

Your friendmeaningtoencouragenotbossyouaround who is still learning howtopassonwhatsheknows

YEE-HAHH Men!

from a YEEE-HAHHH Woman!

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: GMT
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 03:29 AM

Thank you Praise.

From a childless forty something who wondered if his contribution would have to fall on stoney ground.

Gary

Subject: RE: Plant a tree ... give the world a son
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:18 AM

Well are we being Biblical now?

According to Walt Whitman, nothing good is ever lost. I bet he would know about this one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Three Things a Man Must Do
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 07:42 AM

In 1953, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded a song called THREE THINGS (A MAN MUST DO) b/w HEY, MR. COTTON PICKER.

It was also recorded in 1955 by The Four Esquires.

The US Catalog of Copyright Entries lists THREE THINGS A MAN MUST DO. Words & music by Ervin Drake & Jimmy Shirl, copyright 1952, renewed 1980.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Three Things a Man Must Do
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 01:07 AM

Sammy Davis Jr sang it I had the record   cant remember all the words

Subject: ADD: Three Things (A Man Must Do)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 02:20 AM

Here's my transcription of the Four Esquires recording (I found it on Spotify):

THREE THINGS (A MAN MUST DO)
(Ervin Drake & Jimmy Shirl)

CHORUS

There are three things a man must do
Before his days are done:
Plant a tree and take a wife
And give the world a son.

You men who sip at the cup of life,
You've never tasted joy;
So, drink it deeply,
Or you're no more than a boy.

There are three things every man must do,
Before his days are done:
He must plant a tree (He must plant a tree)
He must take a wife (He must take a wife)
He must give the world a son.
CHORUS

There are three things a man must do
Before his days are done:
Plant a tree and take a wife
And give the world a son.

There are lots of women whose cabin floors
Have footprints of my boots;
But none of them made me think
Of sinking my roots.

Then I met you, and at once I knew,
You had to be the one;
Who gonna plant that tree (gonna plant that tree)
Take you for my wife (take you for my wife)
And some day we'll have a son.
CHORUS

There are three things a man must do
Before his days are done:
Plant a tree and take a wife
And give the world a son.
Plant a tree and take a wife
And give the world a son.