Why Do Little Girls? - Harry Chapin

Why did the little girls grow crooked
While the little boys grow tall?
The boys were taught to tumble
The girls told not to fall

The girls answered the telephones
The boys answered the calls
That's why little girls grew crooked
While the little boys grew tall

Why did the little girls grow crippled
While the little boys grew strong?
The boys allowed to come of age
The girls just came along

The girls were told to sing harmonies
The boys could all sing songs
That's why little girls grew crippled
While little boys grew strong

Why did the little girls come broken
While the little boys came whole?
And the little boys all were set aflame
And the girls told to fan the coals

The boys were told to be themselves
The girls were told play roles
That's why little girls came broken
While little boys came whole

Why were all the little girls all frightened
To be just what they are?
The boys were told to ask themselves
How high, how far?

The girls were told to reach the shelves
While the boys were reaching stars
That's why little girls were frightened
To be just what they are

And still they bled for us all as the moon rode the sky
They carried our seed when our need ran high
Then they fed all our children in the night as they cried
Womankind wept as mankind died

Why were all the little girls left hurtin'
When all the boys were done?
And then left there in the moonlight
When the boys went to meet the sun

And when the girls were open
Why had the little boys all won?
That's why little girls were hurtin'
When all the little boys were done

Why did the little girls grow crooked
While the little boys grew tall?
It's maybe because the little boys
Didn't ever have to grow up at all

Where are the little girls? Where are the little girls?
They all are grew crooked, they are crippled
We left broken, we made them frightened
They all are hurtin'

Were are the little girls? Were are the little girls?
You know all they're crooked, crippled, frightened
Broken, hurtin', the little girl
Yeah the little girl, where are the little girls?