James Taylor A Junkie's Lament song lyrics

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

And even if he seems the same to you

That's a stranger to your door

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

It's halfway sick

And it's halfway stoned

He'd sure like to kick

But it'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