I'll Make A Man Out of You – English Lyrics

• By: Disney

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' from Disney's Mulan is a perfect example. Its powerful, rhythmic lyrics and clear commands offer a fantastic way to pick up vocabulary related to strength, action, and perseverance. The song's clever use of irony in its exploration of gender roles also provides a deeper cultural lesson, making it a truly special and memorable way to engage with the English language.

[English]

Let's get down to business

To defeat the Huns

Did they send me daughters

When I asked for sons?

You're the saddest bunch I ever met

But you can bet before we're through

Mister, I'll make a man out of you

...

Tranquil as a forest

But on fire within

Once you find your center

You are sure to win

You're a spineless pale pathetic lot

And you haven't got a clue

Somehow I'll make a man out of you

...

I'm never gonna catch my breath

Say goodbye to those who knew me

Why was I a fool in school for cutting gym?

This guy's got them scared to death!

Hope he doesn't see right through me

Now I really wish that I knew how to swim

(Be a man)

We must be swift as the coursing river

(Be a man)

With all the force of a great typhoon

(Be a man)

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Time is racing toward us

'Til the Huns arrive

Heed my every order

And you might survive

You're unsuited for the rage of war

So pack up, go home, you're through

How could I make a man out of you?

(Be a man)

We must be swift as the coursing river

(Be a man)

With all the force of a great typhoon

(Be a man)

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

(Be a man)

We must be swift as the coursing river

(Be a man)

With all the force of a great typhoon

(Be a man)

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
defeat /dɪˈfiːt/ B2	verb - to win a victory over someone in a fight or competition
daughters /ˈdɔːtərz/ A1	noun - female offspring
sons /sʌnz/ A1	noun - male offspring
saddest /ˈsædɪst/ B1	adjective - feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy
tranquil /ˈtræŋkwɪl/ C1	adjective - calm, peaceful
forest /ˈfɒrɪst/ A2	noun - a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - combustion or burning
center /ˈsentər/ A2	noun - middle point
spineless /ˈspaɪnləs/ B2	adjective - lacking courage; weak-willed
pale /peɪl/ B1	adjective - light in color; lacking intensity of color
pathetic /pəˈθetɪk/ B2	adjective - arousing pity, especially through vulnerability or sadness
breath /breθ/ A2	noun - the air inhaled or exhaled in respiration
fool /fuːl/ B1	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person.
scared /skerd/ A2	adjective - afraid; frightened
swift /swɪft/ B2	adjective - moving or capable of moving with great speed
river /ˈrɪvər/ A1	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.
force /fɔːrs/ B1	noun - strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement
typhoon /taɪˈfuːn/ B1	noun - a tropical cyclone in the western Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean
strength /streŋθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being physically strong
raging /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/ B2	adjective - showing violent uncontrollable anger
mysterious /mɪˈstɪəriəs/ B2	adjective - difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify
moon /muːn/ A1	noun - the natural satellite of the earth, visible by reflection of sunlight
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.