Johnny's in the basement mixing up the medicine.
I'm on the pavement, thinking about the government.
A man in a trench coat, badge out, laid off,
says he's got a bad cough, wants to get it paid off.
Look out, kid, it's something you did.
God knows when, but you're doing it again.
You better duck down the alley way, looking for a new friend.
A man in a coonskin cap in a 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
The phone's tapped anyway.
Maggie says that many say they must bus in early May,
orders from the D.A.
Look out, kid, don't matter what you did.
Walk on your tiptoes. Don't tie no bows.
Better stay away from those who carry around a fire hose.
Keep a clean nose.
Watch the plainclothes.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Aw, get sick, get well. Hang around the inkwell.
Hang bell. Hard to tell if anything is gonna sell.
Try hard. Get bought. Get back. Ride frail. 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 feeders.
Girl by the Whirlpool's lookin' for a new fool.
Don't follow leaders. Watch ya parkin' meters.

Aw, 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 the manhole, light yourself a candle.
Don't wear sandals and try avoid the scandals.
Don't wanna be a bum. You better chew gum.
The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles.