You’ve Got a Friend

by James Taylor

an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who has won five Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. This song, written by Carole King, was recorded in 1971 on his album Mud Slide Slim and became his first #1 hit.

When you’re down and troubled
and you need a helping hand
and nothing whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name
and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running oh yeah baby
to see you again
Winter spring summer or fall
all you have to do is call
and I’ll be there yeah yeah yeah.
You’ve got a friend.

If the sky above you
should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together
and call my name out loud
and soon I will be knocking upon your door

You just call out my name
and you know where ever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
all you got to do is call
and I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend?
When people can be so cold.
They’ll hurt you and desert you.
Well, they’ll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don’t you let them.

You just call out my name
and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don’t you know that
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you’ve got to do is call.
Lord, I’ll be there, yes I will.
You’ve got a friend.
You’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend.
You’ve got a friend.

Vocabulary:

whoa: [an expression of emphasis or importance]
brighten up: make happier
keep your head together: stay calm (old idiom)
ain’t: isn’t (slang)
cold: unfriendly
desert: leave
soul: spirit