[Verse 1]
He had had two cups of coffee
Two cups more than he was allowed
But he never been one to take advice
And no sense in starting now
Light up a cigarette, sit down
Turn on the radio
You can't be in no hurry 'cause
There ain't no place to go
They could call this a retirement
They could call the wall the floor
But they always call collect
When you're not needed anymore

[Chorus]
When you're not needed
Things ain't like they were before
When you're not needed
You're not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Hard to say just what's in store
When you're not needed
You're not needed anymore

[Verse 2]
Spent a thousand frozen midnights
Headed north on slow freight trains
Drinkin' brandy from a thermos
When the boss could not complain
Check the mornin' papers
See what's runnin' at the track
Your sister called two nights ago
And you swore you'd call her back
Your day just seems to close in
Like a room that's got no doors
When the plain and simple truth is
You're not needed anymore
[Chorus]
When you're not needed
Things ain't like they were before
When you're not needed
When you're not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Hard to say just what's in store
When you're not needed
When you're not needed anymore

[Verse 3]
There was no use being bitter
It was over with and done
And if the struggle was to finish
He supposed that he had won
But it seems that when you slow down
Things can catch up with you then
Get the rest you always needed
And you feel the rust set in
The only thing worse than being old
Is being old and poor
'Cause they'll use you and discard you
When you're not needed anymore

[Chorus]
When you're not needed
Things ain't like they were before
When you're not needed
You're not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Hard to say just what's in store
When you're not needed
You're not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Things ain't like they were before
When you're not needed
You're not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Things ain't like they were before
When you're not needed
When you're not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Hard to say just what's in store
When you're not needed
When you're not needed anymore