Subterranean Homesick Blues lyrics

Song information

Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3: Rare & Unreleased, 1961-1991

Lyrics

John is in the basement
Mixin' up the medicine
I'm on the pavement
Thinkin' 'bout 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 alleyway
Lookin' for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
In the pig 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
Phone's tapped anyway
Maggie says the men they 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
Hangin' 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
Look out kid
You're gonna get hit
By losers, cheaters
Six-time users
Hangin' 'round the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
Lookin' for a new fool
Don't follow leaders
Watch the parkin' meters

Oh 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
Ya can't afford the scandal
Don't wanna be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don't work
'Cause the vandals took the handle

[from http://lyrics.doheth.co.uk]

"Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3: Rare & Unreleased, 1961-1991" album track list