MONSTER / SUICIDE / AMERICA
Released by STEPPENWOLF 1969
"Monster"
Once, the religious, the hunted, the weary,
Chasing the Promise of Freedom and Hope,
Came to this country to build a New Vision --
Far from the reaches of Kingdom or Pope.
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches.
Later some brought slaves to gather riches.
But still from near and far, to seek America,
They came by thousands to court the Wild.
But She just patiently smiled. and bore them a Child
To be the Spirit, and Guiding Light.
Then once the ties with the Crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon they went.
Then 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean,
Many the lives that which had come to an end.
While we bullied, stole, and bought a homeland,
We began the slaughter of the Red Man.
But still from near and far, to seek America,
They came by thousands to court the Wild.
But She just patiently smiled. and bore them a Child
To be the 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 has 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.
"Suicide"
The Spirit was Freedom and Justice.
And its Keepers seemed generous and kind.
The leaders were supposed to serve the Country,
But now they don't pay it no mind.
'Cause the people got fat, and grew lazy.
Now their vote's just a meaningless joke.
They babble 'bout Law and 'bout Order,
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told.
'Cause there's a MONSTER on the loose,
He's got our heads into a noose,
And he just sits there, watching ...
The cities have turned into jungles,
And corruption is strangling 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 --
The whole world's got to be just like us.
Now we are fighting a war over there;
No matter who's the winner, we can't pay the cost.
'Cause there's a MONSTER on the loose,
He's got our heads into a noose,
And he just sits there, watching ...
"America"
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.
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.