you're obsessed with finding a new brain
but what you need is a new body
it feels your brain has lived a thousand lives before

and the skin you call your home
holds a heart that quits and knees that buckle in
and lungs that can't breathe when they're alone

and the days come to you like sailors
you watch them as they drift away
they meet the sunrise out at the horizon

and it's neither sink nor swim
at least the water's beneath your chin.

there's blood spilled on the floor
everyone's staring at you, what for?
until you realize the blood is probably yours

you feel you've lost something, you want it back
you lie emotionless on your back
and your legs aren't taking anymore requests

those disobedient wrecks
how you cared for them as they carried you
from class to class and coast to coast

when you owned land and when you were broke
through recessions and addictions

it's just your accidental death
your accidental death
it's just your accidental death
you're the indian in the cougar's nest.

your fright gives way to memory
have them cough you with your love
or the story your father told you long ago

he was hunting with his own father
for deer he pointed and spotted her
and then tripped over some roots or some dead trees
the gun went off, it was a mistake
and my father was only eight
and as he watched the dying deer,
he was changed.

'cause he felt sorry for what he'd done
and he put down his gun
will you feel sorry for what you've done?
will you put down your gun?

cause there's no accidental death
when you're the indian in the cougar's nest