Ben wrote this in 1970 after his son Willy, age three, had been doing things that Ben had disapproved of. Willy then had a nightmare about a man who looked like Ben and scratched his feet with sandpaper.
Am G Am, then G and back to Am
I’m a mean old man
Stay in Am, then G after “no,” and back to Am
And I always say no
Stay in Am, then G after “you,” and back to Am
And I’m always watching you
G Am G after “go,” and back to Am
Wherever you go
Stay in Am, then G after “room,” and back to Am
I come into your room
G Am G after “asleep,” and back to Am
When you’re fast asleep
Dm
And late in the night
F Am
I scratch at your feet
***