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#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
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From: [email protected]

A Junkie's Lament
Words and Music by James Taylor
(c) 1976, 1980 Country Road Music

Note: Capo II in E

Em7               A7sus4     Dmaj7 D
Ricky's been kick-ing the gong
F#m7    B7           Emaj7    E
lickety split didn't take too long
  G        C       F#m7       B7
A junkie's sick, a monkey's strong
E          C#m7   A
That's what's wrong

        Em7               A7sus4     Dmaj7 D
Well, I guess he's been messing around downtown
F#m7      B7           Emaj7    E
so sad to see the man losing ground
G        C       F#m7       B7
winding down behind closed doors
E          C#m7   A
on all fours

C                              G
Mama, don't you call him my name;
          D       D/E   A
he can't hear you anymore
C                     G
Even if he seems the same to you
         D        Bm7     Esus4 E
that's a stranger to your door
C                 G/B             A
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 he's too far gone
so 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

Em7 A7sus4 Dmaj7 D, F#m7 B7 Emaj7 E, G C F#m7 B7, E C#m7 A (slower)
La, la, la, ...
F#m C#m7 F#m7 C#m7 F#m7, F#m C#m7 F#m7 C#m7 A/B, C D E, F#m7 B7sus4 F#m.
La, la, la, ...