Johnny's in the basement mixin' up the medicine
I'm on the pavement thinkin' about the government
A man in a trench coat, badge out, laid off
He 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 alley way lookin' for a new friend
Man in the coon skin cap in the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten
Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot
Talkin' 'bout 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, it's somethin' you did
Walk on your tip toes, don't try no doors
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
Hey, get sick, get well, hang around a ink well
Hang bell, hard to tell if anythin' is 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
By losers, cheaters, six time users
Hang around the theaters
The girl by the whirlpool lookin' for a new fool
Don't follow leaders and watch those parkin' meters
Ah, get born, keep on 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 schootin' and they put you on the day shift
Look out kid, keep it all hid
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 handles