Subterranean Homesick Blues - The Walkmen

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, looking for a new friend

The man in the coon-skin cap in a pig pen

Wants 11 dollar bills — you only got 10

Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot

Talkin' that the heat put plants in the bed, but

Phone’s tapped anyway

Maggie says the 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 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 weather man 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 gonna sell

Try hard, get barred, get back, ride rail

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, a-watch the parking 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

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