Subterranean Homesick Blues

Johnny's in the basement, mixing up the medicine

I'm on the pavement, thinking about the government

The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off

Says "He's got a bad cough, wants to get it paid off"

Look out kid, it's somethin' you did

God knows when but you're doin' it again

You better duck down the alley way, lookin' for a new friend

The man in the coon-skin cap, in the big pen

Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot face full of black soot

Talkin' that the heat put, plants in the bed but

The phone's tapped anyway, Maggie says that many say

"They must bust in early May, orders from the D.A"

Look out kid, don't matter what you did

But walk on your tip toes don't tie no bows

Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose

Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes

You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows

Oh get sick, get well, hang around a ink well

Ring bell, hard to tell, if anything is goin' to sell

Try hard, get barred, get back, write Braille

Get jailed, jump bail, join the army if you fail

Look out kid, you're gonna get hit

But losers, cheaters, six-time users

Hangin' around the theaters

Girl by the whirlpool, lookin' for a new fool

Don't follow leaders, watch your parkin' meters

Oh get born, keep warm, short pants, romance

Learn to dance, get dressed, get blessed, try to be a success

Please her, please him, buy gifts, don't steal, don't lift

Twenty years of schoolin' and they put you on the day shift

Look out kid, they keep it all hid

Better jump down a manhole, light yourself a candle

Don't wear sandals, try to avoid the scandals

Don't wanna be a bum you better chew gum

The pump don't work, 'cause the vandals took the handles