Em A G
Em A G


[Verse 1]

Listen up
   Em
I've rode this mountain seventy years I've been alive
  Em
Choked on rocks and rattlesnakes a wonder I've survived
     A                       Em
Don't think I haven't had a bronc like you try me
   G                                A                 B7
Ev'rytime he thinks a monster is hidin' 'round a tree


[Chorus 1]
  Em
Well the monster's on your back son better try to understand
      A                                    Em
The cowboy that you're fightin' now was born to this here land

One day you'll earn your scars and all the fearlessness you lack
  G                                    A       B7
Don't worry 'bout the things that you can't see
                       Em
The monster's on your back

Repeat Intro


[Verse 2]

Now hear this
    Em
I've rode through howlin' hell and wind and snow and rain

I am oblivious to misery and pain
      A                           Em
That iron in your gizzard it will never go away
    G                           A
So long as you got work to do today


[Chorus 2]
    Em
And there's a monster on your back son get your guts up off the trail
    A                    Em
We got a job to do I promise we won't fail

One day you'll earn your scars and all the fearlessness you lack
   G                               A          B7
Don't worry 'bout the that ornery Charlais bull
                       Em
The monster's on your back


[Bridge]
      A                                               Em
You think that if you buck me off that I won't get back on
       G                   A                 Em
You could stomp me in the ground and I'll be gone
      A                                        G
You think that this old man ain't tough like he once used to be
                  A                B7
Try me one more time and you will see


[Final Chorus]
           Em
There's a monster on your back son better start to understand
       A                                               Em
The cowboy that you're fightin' now was born to this here land

One day you'll earn your scars and all the fearlessness you lack
  G                                      A  B7
'Til then you're gonna have to trust in me
                        Em
The monster's on your back

[Outro]
Em A G
Em A G
                        Em
There's a monster on your back