“Because Halloween is so close…” And because the wife likes the song, and I love her.
I once read an article I can not find right now, that spoke about the classic (and some of the newer) horror movies as morality tales. They were less about scares than about the consequences of good people doing bad things, or having bad things happen to them. The wife loved the idea, as a huge proponent of the Christian messages of All Hallow’s Eve, and would be more than willing to give you a dissertation on the subject, identifying each of the classic monsters with the deadly sins, and the lessons all good people should take away from the stories. I wouldn’t really be able to do the subject justice…
I did find the article interesting, and, having been a long-time fan of the Twilight Zone, I decided to write a song in that vein. Werewolves is about sin. It is about judging others when we are just the same, sinners in need of God’s grace. I often reflect on the old saying, “There but for the grace of God go I.” I am the worst of sinners, failing time and time again to live up to the standards I believe in. But, imagine how bad I’d be without God’s grace helping me…
Now, some might look at the failures and say how unfair it is that God would call us to such impossible standards. That we’re doomed to failure from the beginning… But that, I think, is not the point. As I say in another song, “If you’re reaching for the stars, thte moon is surely in your grasp.” We may never get over the bar, but in the constant attempts we can go much higher than we might think possible.
So… I am the werewolf, a man trying hard not to be the beast. With the good Lord’s grace and mercy, I may live to see a happy ending.
WEREWOLVES (Tefft)
1) All Hallows’ Eve, the thirty-first, and shadows dark abound. / The fog was lurking everywhere, the full moon could not be found. / I was walking through the park when I felt them all around. / And the night got very quiet ‘til I heard that awful sound.
Chorus: And it sounded a lot like screaming. / And it sounded so very foul./ As the werewolves started changing / I could clearly hear them howl…
2) The men they were were altering into some form of beast. / And even when the change was done, the screaming never ceased. / Their eyes were sharp but haunted. There was nothing there of peace. / And then they yelled into the night looking forward to the feast.
Bridge: And I wished I could be dreaming. And I prayed it wasn’t real. / Oh, but I could hear the screaming as they hunted for their meal. / And I knew I should be running but I knew it was too late. / And I heard my heartbeat drumming as I waited for my fate.
3) All Hallows’ Eve, the thirty-first, I thought I’d met my death. / I felt the pain come over me with each and every breath. / I turned to see them watching me, like greeting an old friend. / Then I heard my heart start crying… for I was just like them.
Chorus 2: And it sounded a lot like screaming. / And it sounded so very foul./ As the werewolves started changing / I could clearly hear me howl…