Subterranean Homesick Blues

Johnnys in the basement Mixing up the medicine
Im on the pavement Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat Badge out, laid off
Says hes got a bad cough Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid Its somethin you did
God knows when But youre 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 phones tapped anyway Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early may Orders from the d. a.
Look out kid Dont matter what you did
Walk on your tip toes Dont try no doz
Better stay away from those That carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose Watch the plain clothes
You dont need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

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 Youre gonna get hit
But losers, cheaters Six-time users
Hang around the theaters Girl by the whirlpool
Lookin for a new fool Dont follow leaders
Watch the parkin meters

Ah 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
Dont steal, dont 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
Dont wear sandals Try to avoid the scandals
Dont wanna be a bum You better chew gum
The pump dont work
cause the vandals took the handles