• Song:

    Like A Monkey In A Zoo

  • Artist:

    Daniel Johnston

  • Album:

    The Early Recordings, V...

Daniel Johnston - Like a Monkey in a Zoo
i'm having trouble finding the Daniel Johnston version for reference so im going 
by Kathy McCarty's cover, which i think is in the same key anyway but im not certain.

the main piano tune goes a bit like this (give it a swing):

     G       D         C
E  :-----3---2-0-2-3- | ----------------- | 
B  :----------------- | -------1--------- | 
G  :---0------------- | -----0---0------- | 
D  :-------0-0------- | ---2-------2---2- | 
A  :----------------- | -3-----------3--- | 
E  :-3--------------- | ----------------- | 

the tune's just in the top strings, you can improvise the other part.

                    G5 , D5 , C5
I'm chained to the wall.
( C5 )                G5 , D5 , C5
I have nothin' at all.
( C5 )     G5                  D5                  C5
And my eyes look into the sunset thinkin' of better things to do,
( C5 )      G5    D5     C5
Like a monkey in a zoo.


                 G5 , D5 , C5
The days go so slow.
( C5 )               G5 , D5 , C5
I don't have no friends.
( C5 )     G5           D5                      C5
Except all these people who want me to do tricks for them ,
( C5 )      G5    D5    C5
Like a monkey in a zoo.


G5 , G5

                        C5 , G5 , A5
And it could happen to you.
( A5 )            G5
You could be in my place.
G5                         C5 , G5 , A5
No it wasn't always like this,
( A5 )                D5
But I never saw it comin'.


          G5 , D5 , C5
I'm so alone,
( C5 )             G5 ,  D5 , C5
But this is my home.
( C5 )      G5         D5                         C5
And the bars that surround me keep me from knowin' any better,
( C5 )      G5    D5    C5
Like a monkey in a zoo.


            G5 ,    D5 , C5
Throw me a peanut.
( C5 )             G5 ,  D5 , C5
Laugh and make jokes.
( C5 )       G5             D5               C5
But I've had enough of peanuts and I'm ready to choke,
( C5 )      G5    D5    C5
Like a monkey in a zoo.


G5 , G5

                       C5 , G5 , A5
You come to look at me.
( A5 )          G5
You seem so amused.
G5                       C5 , G5 , A5
But things would look different
( A5 )           D5
If you were in my shoes.


                G5 ,  D5 , C5
I know its my fault,
( C5 )         G5 ,  D5 , C5
But I want out.
( C5 )         G5       D5               C5
And when I cry out nobody seems to understand,
( C5 )      G5    D5    C5
Like a monkey in a zoo.


             G5 ,  D5 , C5
You say I'm cute.
( C5 )                           G5 ,  D5 , C5
You don't know how much that hurts.
( C5 )         G5           D5       C5
You don't know how it feels to live in your own dirt,
( C5 )      G5    D5    C5
Like a monkey in a zoo.


G5 , G5

                        C5 , G5 , A5
And it could happen to you.
( A5 )            G5
You could be in my place.
G5                   C5 , G5 , A5
Don't let yourself slip.
( A5 )                    D5
Don't keep egg on your face.


              G5 ,  D5 , C5
I used to be happy.
( C5 )                     G5 ,  D5 , C5
I can't remember those days.
( C5 )    G5       D5                C5
But I sold my freedom for free room and board,
( C5 )      G5    D5    C5    G5
Like a monkey in a zoo.
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