Subterranean Homesick Blues

Got to know yourself
Burning fire, it's a burning fire

For those in the basement
Marijuana's the medicine
And those on the pavement
Burning down the false government
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Want to get paid off

Look out kid
It's something you did
Jah knows when
But you're doing it again
You duck down the alleyway, looking for a new friend
The man in the coonskin cap in the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills, ya only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talking that heat put
Plants in the bed but
The phones tapped anyway
Maggie say that many say
They must be in early May
Orders from the D.A

Look out kid
Don't matter what you did
Walk on your tip toes
Dont try No Doz
Better stay away from those
That carry around fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch those plain clothes
You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

You get sick, then get well
Hang around an ink well
Things fell
Hard to tell
If anything is going to sell
Try hard
Get barred
Get back, write Braille
Get jailed
Jump bail
Don't stop, you don't fail

Look out kid
You're gonna get hit
By users
Cheaters
Six-time losers
Hang around theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
Looking for a new fool
Don't follow leaders
Watch your parking meters

Oh, get born, keep warm
Girls come, learn to dance
Get dressed
Get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her to please me
Maggie, don't steal, don't shoplift
Twenty years schooling
And they put you on the day shift

Look out kid
They keep it all hid
You come out from the dark zone
Light yourself a fire torch
Wear your sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don't wanna be a bum
Get yourself a gun
The pump don't work
'Cause the vandals took the handles

For those in the basement
Marijuana's the medicine
And those on the pavement
Burning down the false government
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off
...