A Junkie's Lament - James Taylor

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