lifeblood: songs: lyrics: a junkie's lament

rikki's been kicking the gong
lickety split didn't take too long
a junkies sick a monkeys strong
that's what's wrong

well i guess he's been messing around down town
so sad to see the man losing ground
he's winding down behind closed doors
on all fours

mama don't you call him by name
he can't hear you anymore
and 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
with an empty hand in the afternoon
shooting for the moon

he's halfway sick and it's halfway stoney
sure like to quit but he's too far far gone
and they'll wind him down with the methadone
he's all on his own

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
and i used to think he was a friend of mine

words and music james taylor