Subterranean Homesick Blues lyrics

by Bob Dylan

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
Lookin` for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
In the big pen
Wants 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 tip toes
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 weather man
To know which way the wind blows

Get sick, get well
Hang around a ink well
Ring bell, 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
But users, cheaters
Six-time losers
Hang around the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
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
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