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