Phil Keaggy

Polly Want A Crackup

Phil Keaggy


Okay Doc, what's it this time - the couch or the chair? 
I'll take either, what do I care? 
These sessions don't seem to be working too well 
If you're prying into my childhood, I got nothing to tell 

How many parrots have you treated this way? 
I need some serious help, Doc, and I'm here to say 
If I don't get relief soon we're talking serious breakdown 
I can't take another day in this cage as a clown 

I'm living in this joint now for almost three years 
This little old guy is driving me to tears 
It's "Polly this" and "Polly that" 
Hey, I'm a male bird so he should cut that crap, babe 

He carries on with these gushy words 
Like, "How's my sweetie" - "how's pretty bird?" 
No wonder I'm schizo living like that 
I'd like to knock him right on his prat 

I pace the cage all day, can't sleep at night 
He covers my cage, man what a fright 
The only relief is when he heads for the store 
Then I get even by spitting seeds on the floor 

"How's my sweetie, how's pretty bird?" 
The ugliest words I've ever heard 
Day in, day out, this drivel goes on 
Can't stand it, Doc, I'm going ding dong babe 

And another thing, Doc, that food I get? 
It's always moldy and mostly wet 
The old skin flint is too cheap to buy 
A decent kernel of barley or rye 

He feeds me these seeds that he reads birds should eat 
If I repeat his cuss words I might get a treat 
A salted cracker, that's what he thinks is so neat 
One more "Polly want a cracker" and he's dead meat, babe 

Doc, help me here, you're not saying a word 
This is too much talking for this feathered bird 
I need some answers, not a knowing smile 
I'm coming unglued and you say, "Stay a while" 

It's him or me, Doc, there's no other way 
There is no politically correct way to say 
I've had it, and I can't take it anymore 
One more "pretty bird" and I crap on his floor, babe 

Get this, Doc, he pulls feathers from my tail 
Sticks them in his hat and laughs when I wail 
It's humiliating, Doc, and downright rude 
He definitely needs sensitivity training, not to be crude 

Well, I see my time's up, so I'll give it a rest 
I'll come back Tuesday and tell you the best 
I haven't mentioned his flea-bitten dog 
His bark reminds me of a squealing hog 

So long Doc, just mail me the bill 
I've got Medicare, ain't that a thrill? 
You should be thankful you're gonna get paid 
I'm headed back to that tyrant, I'm afraid