Subterranean Homesick Blues --- Bob Dylan

 

[A7]Johnny’s in the basement mixin’ up the medicine.
I’m on the pavement thinkin’ ‘bout the government.
Man in a trenchcoat -- 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 doin’ it again.
Better duck down the alleyway lookin’ for a new friend.
[E7]Man in a coonskin cap and a pigpen
Wants [A7]eleven dollar bills and you’ve only got ten. 

[A7]Maggie comes fleet-foot, face full of black soot.
Talkin’ that the heat put plants in the bed, but
Phone’s tapped anyway, Maggie says that many say
Must bust in early May, orders from the DA.
[D7]Look out kid, you’re gonna get hit,
By [A7]losers, cheaters, six-time users.
Hangin’ ‘round the theatres.
[E7]Girl by the whirlpool, lookin’ for a new fool.
[A7]Don’t follow leaders, watch the parkin’ meters. 

[A7]Get sick, get well, hang around the inkwell
Hang bell, hard to tell if anything is gonna sell.
Try hard, get barred, get back, ride rail,
Get jailed, jump bail, join the army if you fail.
[D7]Look out kid, don’t matter what you did.
Better [A7]walk on your tip-toes, don’t tie no bows,
Better stay away from those who carry ‘round a fire hose.
[E7]Keep a clean nose, watch the plainclothes.
You [A7]don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. 

[A7]Get born, keep warm, short pants, romance,
Learn to dance, get dressed, get blessed, try to be a succes.
Please her, please him, buy gifts, don’t steal,don’t lift,
Twenty years of schoolin’ and they put you on the day shift.
[D7]Look out kid, they keep it all hid,
Better [A7]jump down a manhole, light yourself a candle,
Don’t wear sandals, try to avoid the scandals.
[E7]Don’t wanna be a bum, ya better chew gum.
The [A7]pump don’t work ‘cause the vandals took the handle.

 

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