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 if you're lookin' for a new friend

The man in the coon-skin cap in the big pen

With 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

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 plain clothes

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



Oh, get sick, get well

Hang around an ink well

Ring bell, hard to tell

If anything is gonna sell

Try hard to 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 users, cheaters, six-time users

Hang around the theaters

Girl by the whirlpool

Lookin' for a new fool

Don't follow leaders

Watch the 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