Subterranean Homesick Blues

Johnny's in the basement mixin' up the medicine I'm on the pavement, thinkin' 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 alleyway, lookin' for a new friend The man in the coon-skin cap in the big pen Wants 11 dollar bills, you only got ten Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot Talkin' that the heat put plants in the bed book The phone's tapped anyway, Maggie says, "The man, he say They must bust in early May, orders from the D.A." Look out, kid, 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 the plainclothes You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows Oh, get sick, get well, hang around a ink well Hang bail, 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 By losers, cheaters, six-time users Hangin' 'round the theaters Girl by the whirlpool's lookin' for a new fool Don't 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, don't steal, don't lift 20 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 want to be a bum, you better chew gum The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles