This song is more of a story driven song in the same vein as my song “One More Minute.” But the message in the chorus is the primary reason for this song. And I firmly believe in the notion that relying on a higher power than ourselves doesn’t make us weak, but makes us stronger. This theme of overcoming by reaching out beyond our own capabilities, especially when one feels broken and beaten, is one that surfaces in more than a few of my songs.

Although this song is not autobiographical, the man in the song could very well have represented my own father. If ever there were a man that was “Superman” to me, it would be him.
REAL MAN
Treyan Porter

He was King of the World, and Superman, he was the storybook hero
I called him “sir” and sometimes “dad”, and I was his shadow
He was the old reliable go-to-guy, and he never complained
I swear he stood a little taller every day

One day he walked through the door a little slower, with his head down low
Ma put down her book, and “Honey, what’s wrong?” He said, “They let me go”
Later that night I sneaked a peak through his bedroom door
I heard him crying through his words as he kneeled there on the floor

And that’s the day I learned

     A real man cries and that’s ok
     He drops to his knees and he tries to pray
     And he knows he can’t do it on his own
     When the world is heavy and it’s pushing him around
     He might take a beating but he holds his ground
     And when the dust clears he ain’t standing alone
     Because a real man’s faith is what gets him home

The years rolled on, and we got by as we always had
One day I picked up the phone and Dad said, “Your mother’s cancers back”
As I walked into that hospital room, they didn’t see me there
His voice was breaking as he said, “I love you” and stroked her hair

And I was reminded again

     A real man cries and that’s ok
     He drops to his knees and he tries to pray
     And he knows he can’t do it on his own
     When the world is heavy and it’s pushing him around
     He might take a beating but he holds his ground
     And when the dust clears he ain’t standing alone
     Because a real man’s faith is what gets him home

          Sometimes when I’m on my knees
          Begging, “Help me please”
          I feel so weak
          But then I remember

     A real man cries and that’s ok
     He drops to his knees and he tries to pray
     And he knows he can’t do it on his own
     When the world is heavy and it’s pushing him around
     He might take a beating but he holds his ground
     And when the dust clears he ain’t standing alone
     Because a real man’s faith is what gets him home