A
Johnny's in the basement mixing up the medicine
A
I'm on the pavement thinking about the government
A
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off
A
Says he's got a bad cough and wants to get it paid off
D
Look out kid, it's somethin' you did
A
God knows when but you're doin' it again
A
You better duck down the alley way, lookin' for a new friend
E
The man in the coon-skin cap, in the big pen
      A
Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten

A
Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot
A
Talkin' that the heat put plants in the bed but
A
The phone's tapped anyway, Maggie says that many say
A
They must bust in early, may orders from the D.A.
D
Look out kid, don't matter what you did
A
Walk on your tip toes, don't try "NoDoz"
A
Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose
E
Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes
    A
You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows

A
Get sick, get well, hang around a ink well
A
Ring bell, hard to tell, if anything is goin' to sell
A
Try hard, get barred, get back, write Braille
A
Get jailed, jump bail, join the army, if you fail
D
Look out kid, you're gonna get hit
A
But losers, cheaters, six-time users
A
Hang around the theaters 
E
Girl by the whirlpool, lookin' for a new fool 
A
Don't follow leaders, watch the parkin' meters

A
Ah get born, keep warm, short pants, romance, learn to dance 
A
Get dressed, get blessed, try to be a success
A
Please her, please him, buy gifts, don't steal, don't lift 
A
Twenty years of schoolin' and they put you on the day shift
D
Look out kid no matter what you did
A
Jump down a manhole, light yourself a candle
A
Don't wear sandals, try to avoid the scandals
E
Don't wanna be a bum, you better chew gum
A
The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles