There's a monster on the loose

Steppenwolf Live - January, 1970



Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches

But from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands, to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And till the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many a life succumbed to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man

But from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

The Blue and Grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war was over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past had its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey

The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seemed friendly and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
Cause the people got fat and they're lazy
Now their vote is like a meaningless joke
You know, they talk about law, about order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told

Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole world's got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who wins, you know we can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

America, where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now?
We can't fight alone against the monster.

a reply to: ColeYounger2

I love Steppenwolf! that song is a jam. Also is it John at the beginning talking? I agree with him too.

originally posted by: Shoshanna
a reply to: ColeYounger2

I love Steppenwolf! that song is a jam. Also is it John at the beginning talking? I agree with him too.

Yes, that's him. I read somewhere once that "Monster" by Steppenwolf and "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones were the perfect closure for the 1960s.



Oh, a storm is threatening
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull has lost its way

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder,
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder,
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder,
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

The floods is threatening
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
Kiss away...