Monk Time
The Monks Lyrics


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Alright, my name's Gary.
Let's go, it's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time now!
You know we don't like the army.
What army?
Who cares what army?
Why do you kill all those kids over there in Vietnam?
Mad Viet Cong.
My brother died in Vietnam!
James Bond, who was he?
Stop it, stop it, I don't like it!
It's too loud for my ears.
Pussy galore's comin' down and we like it.
We don't like the atomic bomb.
Stop it, stop it, I don't like it . . . stop it!
What's your meaning Larry?
Ahh, you think like I think!
You're a monk, I'm a monk, we're all monks!




Dave, Larry, Eddie, Roger, everybody, let's go!
It's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time now!

Overall Meaning

The Monks's song Monk Time is a satirical commentary on the society and culture of the 1960s. The lyrics are filled with references to the Vietnam War, James Bond, atomic bombs, and the countercultural movements of that era. The song starts with a call to action by someone named Gary, urging everyone to embrace the beat and hop time, and become a monk. This is then followed by a series of rhetorical questions and statements related to the Vietnam War - the point being made that the soldiers are killing kids in Vietnam for no discernible reason.


The reference to James Bond and Pussy Galore seems to be a way of calling attention to the objectification of women in popular culture, something that the countercultural movements of the 1960s were very much against. The lyrics also suggest that the atomic bomb was a source of great fear and anxiety for people during this period. Throughout the song, the lyrics ask the listener to question the status quo and to embrace a more enlightened way of existence. The repetition of "stop it, stop it, I don't like it" at various points in the song further emphasizes the message that change is needed.


Line by Line Meaning

Alright, my name's Gary.
I am Gary, and I am ready to begin.


Let's go, it's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time now!
It is time for us to start the music, to get moving and to feel the rhythm of the song.


You know we don't like the army.
We do not agree with the actions of the military.


What army?
We do not want to acknowledge the presence of any military forces.


Who cares what army?
We do not think that any army is worth acknowledging or discussing.


Why do you kill all those kids over there in Vietnam?
We question the purpose of the war in Vietnam and the killing of innocent civilians, especially children.


Mad Viet Cong.
We label the opposing forces in the war as 'mad' and unreasonable.


My brother died in Vietnam!
We have suffered a personal loss due to the war, which makes our opposition even stronger.


James Bond, who was he?
We do not care about fictional characters or popular culture references.


Stop it, stop it, I don't like it!
We want the music to stop because it is too loud for our taste.


It's too loud for my ears.
We find the music to be too overwhelming for our senses.


Pussy galore's comin' down and we like it.
We express enjoyment at the idea of a female character appearing, referencing the James Bond character Pussy Galore.


We don't like the atomic bomb.
We are against the use of atomic weapons and the destruction they cause.


Stop it, stop it, I don't like it . . . stop it!
We continue to express our dislike for the loud music and want it to stop.


What's your meaning Larry?
We ask for Larry's opinion and perspective on the situation.


Ahh, you think like I think!
We find that Larry shares our opinions and beliefs.


You're a monk, I'm a monk, we're all monks!
Metaphorically, we are all 'monks' - people who have taken a vow of pacifism and nonviolence.


Dave, Larry, Eddie, Roger, everybody, let's go!
We encourage everyone to join in on the music, regardless of their identities or backgrounds.


It's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time now!
The music has started and we are fully engaged in enjoying and expressing ourselves to the beat of the song.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVE HAVLICEK, GARY BURGER, LARRY CLARK, ROGER JOHNSTON, THOMAS SHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@laurencebondmiller4298

TOO GOOD

@timkjazz

The 1st punk rock song.

@jamiebo100

I wonder if Can heard them ? ....listen to that organ ....pure Irmin Schmidt ..... ..and imagine a crazy Japanese or a psychotic black American singing .....

@johnbeers5527

I noticed several years ago that the intro to "Father Cannot Yell" is strikingly similar to the beginning of this one.

@emilyoshiro

Killer haircuts

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