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 something you did

God knows when, but you're doing it again

You better duck down the alleyway, looking for a new friend

The man in the coonskin cap by the big pen

Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot

Talking 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

Walk on your tiptoes, don't try No Doz

Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose

Keep a clean nose, watch the plainclothes

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

Get sick, get well, hang around the inkwell

Ring bell, 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, kid, you're gonna get hit

By losers, cheaters, six-time users

Hanging 'round the theaters

Girl by the whirlpool's looking for a new fool

Don't follow leaders, watch the parking meters

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 schooling 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 want to be a bum, you better chew gum

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