"Summer Wolf, Winter Wolf"
lyrics by Benjamin Newman
music adapted from "The Female of the Species" by (Ridyard Kipling and) Leslie Fish

(no capo)

/ Am - G Em / - - Am E / F G - E - / - - - Am ... /

	/ C - G - / - - Am E / " / " /

Perhaps you've heard the story of two wolves inside your head
Each doomed to fight the other until one of them is dead
One "good", the other "evil", and the one you feed will win
Well, that's how that story ends, but this is where my tale begins

I've met two wolves within me -- though perhaps a different pair --
The one was hope and happiness, the other blank despair
Knowing each wolf in its season, at some cost I learned the truth
To make it safely through these woods, I have to feed them both

When the winter wolf runs wild, he is doubt, despair, and fear
He stalks the haunted shadows in the dark half of the year
Too many die beneath his jaws, or cower when he's named
But he could be an ally yet, if he could but be tamed

	The summer wolf is wonder, aspiration and delight
	He romps through blooming meadows where the sun is shining bright
	He gives me cheerful confidence in what I might achieve
	But he as well has given some who know him cause to grieve

For the summer wolf, gone rabid, turns the hope to dream and try
To blind faith that leaps from lofty cliffs, believing it can fly
Aspiration to ambition, joy to madness, love to lust
Too many leap, and fall, and break, when he betrays their trust

	Wolf of summer, teach me courage, teach me laughter, teach me joy
	Run with me to fetch and play with every shining toy
	Help me claim my place among the brightest and the best
	But sit at heel and silent when it’s time for me to rest

Wolf of winter, teach me prudence, teach me caution, teach me care
To watch the path before me and know when I must beware
Acceptance of my limits, and humility to say:
I know when I am overmatched, I'll fight another day

I have two wolves within me, to guide me through this land
And I'd be lost if either gained and kept the upper hand
Instead of watching, waiting, while they fight 'til one is dead
I'll harness them together, and I'll yoke them to a sled

The winter wolf will watch the left, the summer wolf the right
Through winter and through summer, straight between the dark and light
To reach my destination, yes, the summer wolf must lead
But I'll be damned the day I pick just one of them to feed