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