Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JohnnyRingo

(20,333 posts)
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 09:26 AM Yesterday

The words behind the Steppenwolf's "Monster" are more relevant now....

...than they were in 1969. Chilling:

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 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 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our 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 over
They stuffed it just like a hog

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

The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's 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 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 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 worlds 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
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

Source: https://lyrics.lyricfind.com/
Songwriters: Jerry Edmonton / John Kay
Monster lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The words behind the Steppenwolf's "Monster" are more relevant now.... (Original Post) JohnnyRingo Yesterday OP
Reminding... Mike Nelson Yesterday #1
At first I thought you were referring to the novel Steppenwolf Redleg Yesterday #2
They named the band from the Hermann Hesse novel. Norbert Yesterday #6
America Kid Berwyn Yesterday #3
Thank you for posting these lyrics and music - very appropriate for these times. erronis Yesterday #4
Those are some lyrics KT2000 Yesterday #5
I remember this one. Sigh. TY. electric_blue68 Yesterday #7
wow. Back when there were lyrics librechik Yesterday #8
John Kay wrote that song Trailrider1951 Yesterday #9

Trailrider1951

(3,550 posts)
9. John Kay wrote that song
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 04:20 PM
Yesterday
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kay_(musician)

Those words are more true today than in 1969. I listened to that album all through high school and beyond.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The words behind the Step...