Lyrics:

1. “Nature of the Beast”

On the day our flame extinguished
From her garden I was banished
She didn’t speak no English
And I don’t speak no Spanish

Oh the places where a man turns
When he’s nowhere left to go
The windows with red lanterns
And the merchandise they show

I chose the one who cost the least
That’s the nature of the beast

Horses’ shoes and lucky stars
Float in her bowl of milk
We went slumming in the abattoirs
Dressed in gold and silk

Her hazel eyes betrayed, alas,
Her modus operandi
Tapping on the plexiglass
And longing for that candy

But my dollar bill was creased
That’s the nature of the beast

She started acting the curmudgeon
Just as I was feeling Pollyanish
She couldn’t help express her dudgeon
Anytime my blues would vanish

Tell me who could scoff at life’s great feast?
Well, you know, that’s just the nature of the beast

In another life she was a wife
Her face bejeweled with bruises
She waved a blade to quell the strife
Same kind a butcher uses

‘Twas with great reluctance
She filed the order of restraint
He read the papers and screamed “Fuck this!
Is she my wife or is she ain’t?”

But he desisted and he ceased
That’s the nature of the beast

By the time the writ expired
She had managed to forget him
When he came knocking she was wired
I wasn’t home and so she let him

They stayed holed up reading Nietzsche
At the old man’s fishing lodge
Left his Mitsubishi
And took off with my Dodge

I hear they’re headed east
That’s the nature of the beast

Rising from the rubbles
Embracing newfound freedom
Bereft of any troubles
Unless I choose to breed ‘em

A free man shan’t be policed
That’s the nature of the beast

Don’t live your life for others
Lest your soul become seditious
By the time I got my druthers
They were someone else’s wishes

Someone who’d been long deceased
Ain’t that the nature of the beast?

When she was dealt a brutal blow
She’d turn her mind to baking goods
But much like the dough
She didn’t rise up like she should

Think she forgot to add the yeast
That’s the nature of the beast

She went back under his tutelage
That’s where she learned the con
She’d distract ‘em with a game of bridge
Afterward their jewels were gone

The vics cried “Hurry, I’ve been fleeced!”
Cops said “Nature of the beast”

A harsh sentence that the judge dealt
When they found their hideaway
My satisfaction and relief felt
When they threw that key away

She’ll be old when she’s released
That’s the nature of the beast

She spent a year in prison gowns
But got out for good behavior
Claiming that she’d finally found
Her mighty Lord and Savior

I think someone’s palm was greased
But that’s the nature of the beast

Considering the fact that
We were legally estranged meant
She could offer herself back
Under our previous arrangement

But her value had increased
Ah… nature of the beast

I don’t want to hear it
I’ve grown weary of your nonsense
Your guilt and repressed fear, if
You’ve got something on your conscience

Go on and tell it to your priest
That’s just the nature of the beast

She used to charge me by the hour
Now she exudes a mother’s essence
Like that old spider in the shower
We tolerate each other’s presence

The kids still like her at least
Just the nature of the beast

2. “View From on High”

Last time I can remember it rained
Was back when your father was breathing his last words
His voice was broken and pained
And your sympathy was feigned

Baby, you’ve been thinking ‘bout no one but yourself
That’s okay, I been thinkin’ ‘bout you too
Thinking ‘bout that book you left on my shelf
But this ain’t fantasy, I’m no wizard, you ain’t no elf

It’s still a long long fall from that bottom rung
Did you hear them Greek sirens singing or them cop sirens ringing?
Did you hear them songs I sung
While you were chewin’ on your tongue?

I see you still got that locket danglin’ o’er your chest
You never did tell me what was inside
Don’t tell me now, let me guess
If I’m right it’s mine to possess

How come you don’t drive down this road no more?
How come you take the long way
When I left you this open door?
Don’t you know it’s set to pour?

The last time this far south it snowed
Was back before your grandmother was even born
Before that Tuesday crash, before the Hayes Code
Back when the champagne fountains flowed

A group of men entered my dreams
Forced my family to betray me
That ain’t as funny as it seems
I can still hear their screams

Whoever it was who said to me
"People look like ants from up here"
Had no sense of identity
Those people ain’t like me

We’re not all one
I’m not your brother
I’m my father’s only son
And my father owns a gun

Some things last forever, like that tattoo on your thigh
Only not the way you think they will
Like a play with no end, like an Irish goodbye
Like my view from on high

Liner notes:

All Songs Written by Dennis Hauck

“Nature of the Beast”

Dennis Hauck — vocals, guitars
Dorian Heartsong — bass
Kyle Crane — drums, percussion

“View From on High”

Dennis Hauck — vocals, guitar
Stephen Musselman — pedal steel, dobro
Dorian Heartsong — bass, percussion

Released by:
Foe Killer Records

Release date:
28 August 2023

© ℗ 2022 Dennis Hauck (BMI)