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 something you did 
  God knows when, but you're doing it again 
  You better duck down the alleyway, looking for a new friend 
  The man in the coonskin cap by the big pen 
  Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten 

  Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot 
  Talking 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 DA 

  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 plainclothes 
  You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows 

  Get sick, get well, hang around the inkwell 
  Ring bell, hard to tell if anything is gonna 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 
  Hanging 'round the theaters 
  Girl by the whirlpool's looking for a new fool 
  Don't follow leaders, watch the parking meters 

  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 schooling 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