Subterranean Homesick Blues

A7 - x02020
D7 - xx0212
E7 - 020100

A7
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
D7
Look out kid, it's somethin' you did
A7
God knows when, but you're doing it again
A7
You better duck down the alleyway, lookin' for a new friend
E7
The man in the coonskin cap in the pig pen
A7
Wants eleven dollar bills, but you only got ten


A7


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 tie no bows
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

A7

Ah, get sick, get well, hang around the Ink Well
Hang a bell? Hard to tell, if anything he's 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 losers, cheaters, six-time users
Hangin' 'round the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool's lookin' for a new fool
Don't follow leaders, and watch your parkin' meters

A7

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 handle