Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Greg Brown
Canonical path: /greg-brown/the-monkey
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
The Monkey
Read The Monkey lyrics by Greg Brown on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
The Monkey
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
The room was dark and short of breath
And smelled like some poor junkie's death
All had been dreamed All had been tried
The monkey's long arms opened wide
And now at last we all get to make love to
the monkey
A glow beneath A bang above
A whimper at the end of love
No one has slept and sweetly dreamed
Not since the monkey bucked and screamed
The monkey's breath is sweet and strong
The monkey's tongue is wet and long
He neither speaks nor understands
He's got the whole world in his hands--
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Monkey"?
Greg Brown performs "The Monkey", and this lyric page sits inside the Greg Brown catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Monkey"?
Yes. The related section below points to Almost Out of Gas and 'Cept You & Me, Babe with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Greg Brown?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Greg Brown's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Monkey yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.