Lyrics A Junkies Lament - James Taylor

A Junkies Lament

Ricky’s been kicking the gong
Lickety-split, didn’t take too long
A junkie’s sick, a monkey’s strong
That’s what’s wrong
Well, I guess he’s been messing around downtown
So sad to see the man losing ground
Winding down behind closed doors
On all fours
Mama, don’t you call him my name
He can’t hear you anymore
Even if he seems the same to you
That’s a stranger to your door
Go on, ask him what’s he come here for
Oh my God, a monkey can move a man
Send him to hell and home again
An empty hand in the afternoon
Shooting for the moon
It’s halfway sick and it’s halfway stoned
He’d sure like to kick but he’s too far gone
They wind him down with the methadone
He’s all on his own
But baby, don’t you throw your love away
I hate to seem unkind
It’s only that I understand the man
That the monkey can leave behind
I used to think he was a friend of mine
Oh La la la la la la la la