Beastie

From early days of infancy, through trembling years of youth
Long murky middle-age and final hours long in the tooth
He is the hundred names of terror --- creature you love the least
Picture his name before you and exorcise the beast

He roved up and down through history --- spectre with tales to tell
In the darkness when the campfire's dead --- to each his private hell
If you look behind your shoulder as you feel his eyes to feast
You can witness now the everchanging nature of the beast

Beastie

If you wear a warmer sporran, you can keep the foe at bay
You can pop those pills and visit some psychiatrist who'll say ---
There's nothing I can do for you, everywhere's a danger zone
I'd love to help get rid of it, but I've got one of my own

There's a beast upon my shoulder and a fiend upon my back
Feel his burning breath a heaving, smoke oozing from his stack
And he moves beneath the covers or he lies below the bed
He's the beast upon your shoulder. He's the price upon your head

He's the lonely fear of dying, and for some, of living too
He's your private nightmare pricking. He'd just love to turn the screw
So stand as one defiant --- yes, and let your voices swell
Stare that beastie in the face and really give him hell