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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 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

by the big pen

wants eleven dollar bills:

You only got ten.

 

Maggie comes fleet foot

Face full of black soot

Talkin' at the heat put

Plants in the bed but

The phone's tapped any-way.

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 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

G irl 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 tool the handles.

 

                          -- Bob Dylan (1965)

VIDEO Bob Dylan :

Subterranean Homesick Blues

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