Subterranean Homesick Blues

Johnny's in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in a trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Wants to get paid off

Look out, kids
It's something you did
God knows when
But you're doing it again
You better duck down the alley way
Looking for a new friend
A man in a coon-skin cap
In a pig pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
But you only got ten

Maggie come fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talking that the heat put
Plants in the bed but
Phone's tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the DA

Look out, kids
Don't matter what you did
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 your plainclothes
I don't need a weather man
I know which way the wind blows

Ah, get sick, get well
Hang around an ink well
Hang nail, hard to tell
If anything is gonna sell
Try hard, get barred
Get back, write Braille
Get jailed, jump bail
Join the army, if you fail

Look out, kids
You're gonna get hit
By losers, cheaters
Six-time users
Hanging 'round the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool is
Looking for a new fool
Don't follow leaders
Watch the parking meters

Ah, get born, keep warm
Short pants, learn to dance
Get dressed, get blessed
Try to be a success
Please him, please her, buy gifts
Don't steal, don't lift
Twenty years of schooling
And they put you on the day shift

Look out, kids
They got it all hid
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