Subterranean Homesick Blues

A                            A 
Johnny's in the basement mixin' up the medicine 
I'm on the pavement, thinkin' 'bout 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 
  D                    D 
Look out kid, it's something you did 
  A 
God knows when, but you're doin' it again 
You better duck down the alleyway, lookin' for a new friend 
  E 
The man in the coon-skin cap by the big pen 
  A 
Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten 

  A 
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 
  D 
Look out kid, don't matter what ya did 
  A 
Walk on your tiptoes, don't try "No-Doz" 
Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose 
  E 
Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes 
  A 
You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows 

  A 
Uhh..get sick, get well, hang around a ink well 
Ring bell, hard to tell, if anything is gonna sell 
Try hard, get barred, get back, write braille 
Get jail, jump bail, join the army, if you fail 
  D 
Look out kid, you're gonna get hit 
  A 
But users, cheaters, six-time losers, hang around the theaters 
  E 
Girl by the whirlpool lookin' for a new fool 
  A 
Don't follow leaders or watch the parkin' meters 

  A 
Ohh..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 ya on the day shift 
  D 
Look out kid, they keep it all hid 
  A 
Better jump down a manhole, light yourself a candle 
Don't wear sandals, and try to avoid the scandals 
  E 
Don't want to be a bum, you better chew gum 
  A 
The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles