Riff's Monkey

I am the missing link
Between the green and pink
Oh the whites of their eyes, wide with surprise
Well what must people think
When they see me on the floor
Running around the store
Well I’spose that fashion’s never been this fast before

Well the year was 1972
When they took me from the concrete zoo
Saying “Come my’son no time for fun
There’s work for you to do”
And they dumped me in the fluorescent woods
Where the metal trees grew Earthly goods
Hats and dresses and socks and ties
And everything was the best of buys

Across the pans of harbour ice
In a cage of fleshly man’s device
To entertain and to entice those who would pay any price
Some would laugh and others smiled
Tied to a string led by a child
Some believed I was diseased
And carried ticks and lice and fleas

So many things for me to do
Things to climb and bite and chew
Brand new faces for to meet
And linoleum beneath my feet
And when it’s dark I’m not alone
The man in charge he takes me home
Feeds me from his outstretched hand
Imported fruit from my homeland

I am the missing link
Between the green and pink
Oh the whites of their eyes, wide with surprise
Well what must people think
When they see me on the floor
Running around the store
Well I’spose that fashion’s never been this fast before

written by Damian Lethbridge