[Verse 1] Johnny's in the basement, mixin' up the medicine I'm on the pavement, thinkin' about the government The 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 somethin' you did God knows when, but you're doin' it again You better duck down the alleyway, looking for a new friend The man in the coon-skin cap in a pig pen Wants 11 dollar bills – you only got 10 [Verse 2] 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 many 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 tie no bows Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose Keep a clean nose, watch the plainclothes You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows [Verse 3] Oh, get sick, get well, hang around a ink well Hang bail, 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 Hanging 'round the theaters Girl by the whirlpool's looking for a new fool Don't follow leaders, a-watch the parking meters [Verse 4] 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 20 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, try to avoid the scandals Don't want to be a bum, you better chew gum The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles