The more things change...
 

the more they stay the same...

I had thought of adding this to the "sing to me" thread, but I don't want to take a chance of it either being buried there, or having it muck up a purely artistic thread...word of warning, this will probably be seen by some as political, & may even start a fight...but I feel, for some reason, I must do this anyway.

These words & music were written by John Kay & Jerry Edmonton of the band "Steppenwolf" circa 1969-70, in another era that seems so distant, and yet, still with us in so many ways...and I find it spooky in how it resonates today...

"Monster"

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 bought slaves to gather riches

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And 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 the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our 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
And 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

But 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...

The spirit was freedom and justice
Its keepers seemed generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and 'bout order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, 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 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
Cause the whole world has 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
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

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...

scotzoidman,

Thank you. A powerful image! :thumb:

Great song scotz I think I might have to play it tomorrow night on the show.

Make sure it's the full length album version, not the edited-down-to-3-minute single version.